A SPORTSMAN'S NOTEBOOK

Dunstan Times, Issue 3513, 16 March 1931, Page 3

A SPORTSMAN'S NOTEBOOK

Sonic considerable time ago the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Council circularised the various centres concerning a proposal that had been made regarding the importation of a track and field coach for the dominion. The scheme was turned down, but the matter has not been allowed to drop, and at the annual conference of centre delegates last week Mr P. W. Breen, one of the most far-seeing men associated with the sport in the dominion, urged upon those present the desirability of the scheme being gone into further. Mr Breen's suggestion was that a coach might be appointed, and that lie should be loaned to the various centres for a period of three months each if it were possible. All the delegates have agreed that the .suggestion is a sound one, the matter of finance being the biggest obstacle to overcome. It has been decided to make inquiries concerning the of bringing a nrst-elass coach to New Zealand, and there is everything to be gained if centres are prepared to make an effort to raise the money necessary to bring the scheme to fruition Harlow Rothert, the captain of the visiting American track team, stated only last week that New Zealand had the talent if it could be developed along the right lines, but until proper coaching methods are introduced into this country New Zealand can hardly hope to hoid her own in international competition in athletics in all its branches. There have been one or two exceptional athletes who have gone forth and proved their worth against the world's best, but who will say that these men might not have done even better had more coaching facilities been provided than has been the case? • * >. * Those who hav.- had any experience of championship athletics will agree with the suggestion of Mr A. C. Kitto, the Wellington Centre president, that there is an urgent need for the adoption of some standardised order of championship events, and it is satisfactory to know that a sub-committee has been set up to arrange for a model programme to be placed before centres. The trouble in the past has been to arrange the order of events to suit all centres, but if a standard order is decided upon it will be possible for the selectors to know before choosing the team in just how many events i'.ey can expect their men to run. The men themselves will know for what they will have to specially prepare, and the results should be most beneficial for the sport. • « * * When the animal meeting of the Otago Boxing Association is held next week it is to be hoped that members will urge upon the newly-elected committee the need for some effort being made to arrange a definite programme at the outset of the season, and also that in the event of professionual contests not being as numerous as might be desired special amateur nights should be arranged. Public interest in boxing in Dunedin has fallen away to a considerable extent, simply through a dearth of contests, and unless a big effort is made very soon it will be very difficult to revive interest in the fistic art. It is not so long since Dunedin was the centre of New Zealand's fistic activity, and with a little effort on the part of members of the 0.8.A. there is no reason why that state of affairs should not again appertain. • * * * Organisation counts for a lot in any big international event, and nothing is being left to chance by those who arc responsible for the arranging of the tenth Olympiad at Los Angeles next year. Even now the course has been selected for the yachting events, which are to be held from .July 30 to August 14 over a course in the Pacific Association near Los Angeles Harbour. Southern California has many miles of beautiful coastline, and the latest bulletin from the Organising Committee is to the effect that many thousands of people will be able to view the Olympic yachting events from the palisades overlooking the course. The coastline is protected by a chain of islands, thirty miles off shore, which makes it possible for the smallest craft to operate with safety and security anywhere along the shore. Winds are particularly favourable throughout the year, and especially during the months of the Olympic Games. Yachting is one of the" principal sports in Los Angeles throughout the year, many regattas and yacht races being held annually over various courses along the coastline, and officials ill charge of the yachting events of the Olympic Gaines will apparently have little difficulty in selecting an ideal course with splendid wind and tide conditions. • * * * The following card, issued by the Sports Committee of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association in connection with the championships, speaks for itself': — "'the greatest curse of sports meetings is the number of unnecessary judges at the finish of each race. In order to allow the public to see the sports, please sit down on forms provided if you are not officiating (and remain seated!). Ho not on any account rush up to the finish of each race and so prevent spectators seeing what they have paid to see. Also do not barrack for any of the competitors. Remember, the public came to see the races and not the officials, and the control of the meeting will be very much easier if this advice is read, marked. and inwardly digested. The Sports Committee thank you in anticipation Cor vour assistance and co-operation."' • • • • Mrs Xeliua, who finished second in the Manlv endurance swimming test, is a daughter-in-law of '",'. Nehua, one of the lew surviving members of the New Zealand Native team, according to the Svdnev 'Referee.' Another who is still linlo and hearty is |>al Kcogh, who was present at the jubilee of the Otago Rugbv Union. Pat is not a Maori, but lie made football history with the Natives on that lour, and is still spoken of to-day as one of the greatest half-backs ol all turn-.