The 1952 track season his now upon us, and along with other clubs, Wallasey Athletic Club are completing arrangements for what should be a very energetic and entertaining season.
The first essential in athletics of any kind is training, and if early season attendances are any criterion, Wallasey competitors will be of poor quality but with the benefit of the longer evenings, increasing attendances should become the rule. Training facilities are available at the Leasowe Roadf Playing Fields on Mondays, Wednesdays and, Thursdays for the male and ladies sections from 7 p.m. onwards. All are welcome and track secretary Ramsey Hewson will give newcomers all the assistance he can. Any person requiring more information on the activities of the club should contact him at 16 Taunton Road, Wallasey or phone Wallasey 7214.
This Saturday, a small party will journey to Earlestown for the first open handicap meeting of the season, but as this is a non-penalty meeting, performance will not be startling.
The first big event is the Cheshire County Championships which are being held at the Oval, Port Sunlight, on Saturday next commencing at 2 p.m. Although Cheshire is quite a large county geographically it is weak as far as athletic clubs are concerned, there being only eight clubs affiliated to the County Association. However, such is the enthusiasm shown by these clubs that the Association is able to hold a full and interesting championship meeting, and Wallasey duly takes its place in all the events. Entries have now closed, and from preliminary reports, a good afternoon's sport appears to be assured, and. it is not unreasonable to expect Wallasey A.C. to capture its usual quota of medals. It is upon the results of these championships that the team will be selected to represent Cheshire in the Inter-Counties Championships at White City on Whit Saturday and Monday, and here again, Wallasey should be successful in obtaining several places as in previous years.
It is good news to hear that Don Anderson, English Schools half-mile champion has recovered from his cartilage operation and we look forward to having to his having further successes. He has recently completed a further week's extensive coaching at Lilleshall and will no doubt impart some of the useful knowledge acquired to other club members. Len Platt is training conscientiously and should show further improvements while Bob Johnston should make his mark in events of two miles and over.
It is unfortunate that it is Olympic year when it was found necessary to discontinue Wallasey' s own Youth Olympiad. Started in 1949, it appeared that this was a much
needed event but the support given to it by many youth organisations did not warrant its continuance and so, most regretfully, an important date is crossed off the athletic calendar. Officials of Wallasey A.C. will watch the position closely and at the first opportunity this much needed event will be restarted, possibly in 1953.
Who knows? It is up to all to show a greater interest in the youth of the borough.
The Lancashire and Cheshire Youth Activities Council are sponsoring the inter-town championships again and it is hoped that Wallasey will be represented by an even stronger team than last year, when Wallasey entered for the first time and nearly won the Girls' Championship.
The only stipulation is that competitors should be members of a youth club within the borough. Any person who thinks he or she, is capable of a performance in any event which would warrant inclusion in the team should Immediately contact Ron Hubbard, 39 Beech Road, Birkenhead, phone Birkenhead 3550, who wilI again act as team manager. All applications will receive careful consideration, provided that information is given on the event, performance, date and venue.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 10/05/1952 by R.H.
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