Back at Cooks Gardens: Where Inspiration Began

It is great to be back at Cooks Gardens in Whanganui today; a place very close to my heart. Growing up I was brought here on summer evenings with my father and his friend (Mr Kos, my first football coach) to watch shared Athletics / Cycling meets. These were spell-binding for me. At that time the cycle track was asphalt, on the outside of the 400m grass running track.

The format was brilliant. A running event was held, followed by a cycling event. Captivated, we sat on the grass bank with some homemade bacon and egg pie and a thermos of milo. Takeaway food was out of the question; that took time away from the viewing.

The most prestigious events were always at the end, under lights. I recall seeing John Walker, Rod Dixon and Dick Quax all competing against athletes from around the world. Local cycling hero Gary Anderson took on all-comers as well. It was gripping entertainment. Yet it was more than just a spectacle for me. My heroes were circumnavigating their respective tracks with speed and skill. This planted a seed.

In inter-school athletics I got the chance to run in the shoes of my heroes. It was inspiring. I was never going to win on the world stage, but these early years of viewing and competing gave me a strong foundation for a life in community sport and recreation.

Those athletics / cycle meets were so cool. Visiting again today got me being very nostalgic (in case you haven’t picked that up already).

Given the success and profile of our Olympian and Paralympian athletes, can this type of event operate successfully in the current times? While the facilities have moved on with a mondo track and separate velodrome, can we capture the spirit of sport with this type of event? We need many different ways of inspiring future generations….what spaces and places inspired you? A thermos of milo always helps too.

Richard Linsday