To the Editor of "The Wallasey News"
Sir,- I should like to thank your correspondent- " RIDEMUS " for his letter, which appeared in the last issue of the "Wallasey News," expressing his interest in the Wallasey Athletic Club, and asking for particulars of its activities. I was surprised to learn, however, of his previous ignorance of the Club's existence. If we have not received sufficient publicity, it is our own fault, for in this respect the local Press has always proved most helpful whenever we have approached it. However, for the benefit of your correspondent and any others who may be in a similar position. I append a short account of the Club and its activities.
Wallasey A. C. is the only club in the borough catering for athletics. It has been in existence for over 40 years, and in pre-war days was pre-eminent on Merseyside. During the immediate post-war years it had rather a lean time, but there is now no reason why it should not regain its former status. As the Gala sports demonstrated, Wallasey has many promising athletes. At the moment we have in K. Glover, former A.A.A. Junior 100 yds. and 220 yds. champion, R. C. Leach, a very fine miler, who won the County championship in 1936, and W. P. Davey, Liverpool & District Junior Cross-Country champion, runners of outstanding merit. There is every prospect that in the course of the next few seasons we shall be able to build up a really strong athletic team. The Club offers free membership to boys leaving the elementary schools, thus giving them a chance, under the guidance of older members, of pursuing their interests in sport and of developing their athletic abilities, which after the age of 14 are too often wasted through lack of proper opportunities.
It is regrettable in view of the fine material at our disposal that the Club's summer activities should be curtailed, owing to the absence in Wallasey of any sort of facilities for athletics. There is no running track in the borough that we can use. For training purposes members have to resort to an unmarked course round the boundaries of the cricket pitch in Harrison Park, and difficulties have even been encountered when efforts were made to obtain the use of the pavilion for changing purposes.
Surely it is worth while for Wallasey to see that its only club has a reasonable chance of getting back on the athletic map once more. In the first place, as your correspondent points out, much stress is at the present day being laid on physical training. The club seeks primarily to cater for the youth of the borough in this respect, giving them opportunities for bodily development by the finest and most natural of all sports. On this ground alone we deserve the interest and support of the citizens of Wallasey. Further - a more material reason - a good running track and a strong Athletic Club would prove an attraction to the borough. It is interesting to note that crowds of over 50,000 attend the sports meeting held annually at Chester, while as many as 80,00 are to be seen at the meetings in the North oi England.
During the winter months the Club concentrates on cross-country running Weekly fixtures are held with other teams in the district, the home runs starting from our headquarters at the Wallasey end of Leasowe-road. Our youths' cross-country team is particularly strong, and contains many fine runners. Two years ago it was successful in winning the West Lancashire championship against stout opposition. We have good grounds for hoping that this success will be repeated in the coming season, for the club will be considerably stronger than for many years. We have runners who can hold their own with the best in the North of England.
The cross-country season opens at the end of September, and I urge all who have any ability at all as runners, or who are interested in our efforts to promote athletics in Wallasey, to get in touch with R. G. Hyde, 14 Cromer-drive. We can assure them of a warm welcome, either active running members or in any other capacity. - Yours, etc.,
THE SECRETARY
July 17th.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 24/07/1937
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