Brenda Walker

Sportsman Of The Month

Versatility and natural ability are the keynotes to the success of Gisborne Amateur Athletics Club member Brenda Walker.

At the club's weekly meetings at the Childers Road Reserve she is a regular and well performed competitor in every ladies' event in the programme except longer distance running.

In her specialty events, the javelin, shot, discus, and jumps, she holds P.B., H.B. -P.B. centre, and N.Z. University records.

The 21 - year-old daughter of, Ngatapa dairy farmer Mr Ken Walker, and Mrs Walker, Brenda is at present studying for her Diploma of Physical Education (equivalent to a university degree) at Dunedin which will qualify her as a secondary school instructor.

A natural athlete, she was a Girls' High champion every year of her secondary schooling.

She has competed at the N.Z. Championships for four years, gaining three placings in the javelin and discus. For the last five years she has been rated in the N.Z. top ten for the shot, discus and javelin.

Since the New Year she has stretched her centre discus record to 134ft lin, and has equalled her centre shot record.

Extending her sporting ability to the winter months Brenda re-presented P.B. at basketball for four years before going to Dunedin where she became an Otago representative and captain of the South Island team.

Her brother Max, we, is also a prominent athlete, and now equipped with a Physical Education Diploma, will this year commence instructing at St. Bede's Boys' College in Christchurch.