Torches lit by Councillor R. Y. Knagg, Mayor of Wallasey at Seacombe and Moreton were carried into the playing field at Leasowe Road on Saturday afternoon to herald the opening of the Wallasey Youth Olympiad - the largest post-war athletic meet to be held in the borough.
A crowd of nearly 500 people then settled back to watch G. Price, a student at Gorsedale Secondary Modern School, steal the individual spotlight with four firsts in the junior division competition. Price was not the only star in the field of 150 youthful competitors, however, Miss M. J. Collings, a 15-year-old student at the same school, stunned the spectators with an unexpected victory over Miss Mavis Ashworth in the girl's high jump. The triumph in the jumping competition was Miss Collings' second of the day. Earlier in the afternoon she had captured first place in the 80-yards sprint.
Gorsedale also scored a team triumph, as its relay team of G. Price, J. Appleton, A. Bowie, and R. Forbes won the C. G. Tompkins' Challenge Trophy in the 4 x 110 yards team relay for boys under 15. The Gorsedale team chalked up a time of 55 seconds to finish ahead of Liscard Secondary Modern School and 1st Wallasey Boys' Brigade.
Individual doubles for the day were scored by A. M. Scullion in the senior division, G. Hardman in the junior, and R. Fullerton in the 15-17 age group. Scullion scored his triumphs in the shotput and discus throw, Fullerton in the 220 and 880 yards flat races, and Hardman in the 80-yards hurdles and the high jump.
Both athletes and spectators at the Olympiad were harassed by a chill wind which blew onto the playing held from across the sand dunes. The cold weather undoubtedly restricted attendance at the event, and must have had a damaging effect on many of the competitors.
Participants in the Olympiad were drawn from 20 schools and youth organisations in Wallasey. Sponsored by the Wallasey Athletic Club, the meet was organised by a committee headed by Mr. A. G. Nicholson. Officers on the committee, in addition to Mr. Nicholson, were H. R. B. Wood, M.A., Councillors - G. L. Reakes and R. Griffiths, J. Ormerod, O.B.E., W. Wilkie, Councillor - A. G. Armstrong. R. F. Hubbard and D. W. Dickinson.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 23/07/1949
Ref 2533