SPECIAL FIELDS OF SPORT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21886, 12 September 1936, Page 24

SPECIAL FIELDS OF SPORT

* : HOCKEY, ROWING, AND CYCLING i WHERE NEW ZEALAND i MAY WIN HONOURS PAST SUCCESSES AND PRESENT form (By RELAY.) New Zealand is satisfied it can hold Its own in international Rugby; but it is not generally realised that in certain other sports, where the field is wider and the competition even harder, the Dominion has every prospect of distinguishing itself. Three of these sports in particular are hockey, rowing, and cycling. Evidence can be brought to show that New Zealand has consistently produced men of international class in these three sports, and there is already a determination among interested officials that the Dominion shall have strong teams at the next world and Olympic festival m japan in 1940. It is fairly well known that the standard of hockey in New Zealand is such that any international competition can be entered with confidence. Fine tributes to the standard of the game in the Dominion have been made frequently by members of the allIndia teams who have visited New Zealand. India has been the unchallenged champion of the world at hockey for years, and a tribute from its members, supported by good performances in competition with it, are sufficient evidence in themselves of the standard of the game here. Flans for Hockey The plans of the New Zealand Hockey Association for international competition in the next three seasons have already been laid. A New Zealand team is to go to Australia next year, and there is a likelihood that a Japanese team will come to New Zealand in 1938. Then in 1940 it is intended to send a New Zealand team to Japan for the Olympic Games. The New Zealand Hockey Association has done much for the development and improvement of the game, and its venture into international competition should prove well worth while, not only to the sport, but to the Dominion as a whole. Reporting on the 1936 Olympic Games, the London correspondent of “The Press” quotes Dhyan Chand, the world-famous Indian player, who said he could not understand why New Zealand had not entered a hockey team. He considered that the Dominion could have fielded a side the equal of any the India team met at Berlin. He held that if New Zealand entered a team at Tokyo in 1940 it would find only India barring its way to the championship of the world. Successful Oarsmen From the 1936 Olympic Games there has also arisen a suggestion that New Zealand should concentrate on sending a team of oarsmen to future Olympic contests. Mr M. Grace, formerly of Wanganui, who rowed for Otago University, St. Bartholomew’s, and the Wanganui Club, watched the events at Berlin last month, and was afterwards enthusiastic about New Zealand’s chances in such company. He pointed out at the same time the advisability of working up strong combinations within the individual clubs. New Zealand has only once been represented at the Olympic Games in the rowing events, and on that occasion did exceptionally well. The Canterbury pair, C. A. Stiles and F. H. Thompson, rowed second to Great Britain in the pair-oar final, and was beaten to first place only through the breaking of . ruddock when they held a commanding lead. The four-oar crew also did very well, finishing fourth. It was considered at the time that with sufficient enthusiasm, organisation, and training, New Zealand could hold its own in international competition. A number- of individual oarsmen have ventured into international company. R. Amst and D’Arcy Hadfield, In particular, both of whom held the world sculling title for some years, have given sufficient proof that this is a field open to New Zealanders if they care to concentrate on it. International Cyclists Cycling is a sport with a smaller general interest, perhaps, but it has every claim to better recognition, and might have it were it not for internal troubles. Practically every cyclist successful within New Zealand who has ventured outside has held his own in international company. The success of G. R. Giles, of Canterbury, who rode eighth at the Olympic Games and created an excellent impression in Great Britain, is the most recent. H. G. Watson, the professional road champion, who is still riding, has competed prominently in the greatest of all road events, the Tour de France, and was second in the Centenary Thousand in Victoria in 1934. Those are but two performances among many which have established him as one of the greatest of New Zealand cyclists. Canterbury has been distinguished in the cycling world. Beginning many years ago, the names of many champions of international standing can be recalled. The champion of all was Phil O’Shea, who for his all-round superiority on both track and road will be long remembered. It is apparent that if the organising bodies in these three sports care to concentrate on the standard of the game and the proper coaching of available material jhey could compete with every confidence in future international events.