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| Maritime Provinces Amateur Athletic Association Programme, September 1898 |
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| The early development of athletics in the province owed much to the sporting legacy of the Scottish immigrants who settled in the region. Highland gatherings were held regularly throughout the Maritimes in the latter half of the 19th century. Such events were used as a forum for cultural and sporting customs, including traditional athletic activities, such as running races, hurdle races, and the high and long jumps. On Prince Edward Island it was the Caledonia Games, first staged in August, 1864, that would become one of the key forerunners of athletic activity in the province. From such beginnings came the formation of the highly successful Abegweit-Crescent Athletic Club in 1899. Known later as the Abegweit Amateur Athletic Association (AAAA), it became the first multi-sport club in the province, fostering participation in many activities including hockey, rugby and baseball. However, it was in the discipline of track and field that the Abegweit team would gain national recognition, producing athletes of record-breaking standard, like pole vaulter, Bill Halpenny, who in 1904 became the first Islander to compete in the Olympic Games. | | Next>>> | | Previous<<< |
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| To see more of the images from this and other collections visit the Public Archives and Records Office, Atlantic Technology Centre (ATC), 176 Great George Street, Suite L20, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. | For more information about the Public Archives and its holdings, please visit princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/libraries-and-archives.
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