ATHLETIC TRIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 10

ATHLETIC TRIPS.

AUSTRALIA AND N.Z. MORE FREQUENT EXCHANGE. SUGGESTION BY MRS. D. MAGEE. More frequent exchange of visits between Australian and New Zealand athletes—particularly as far as women are concerned —is advocated by Mrs. D. Magee, of Sydney, who is accompanying the visiting Australian sprinter, Miss Deeima Norman, on her tour of the Auckland province. Interviewed this morning. M,rs. Magee said the recent, visit of the New Zealand crack halfmiler, V. P. Boot, had aroused considerable enthusiasm in Australia, and it was hoped that more trips of such a nature could be arranged. "My idea is to send big contingents both ways across the Tastnan when our two countries are holding their national championships." said Mrs. Magee. "The expenses would, of course, be heavy, but that could be discussed. I can assure you there is plenty of enthusiasm in Australia."

Holding the positions of secretary lor both the New South Wales Women's Athletic Association and Australian women's Athletic Union, Mrs. Magee has played a prominent part in the organisation of women's athletics in Australia. Elected to the council of the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association in 1031, she was one of the pioneers of the movement for a separate women's association. As" the'; result of the efforts of herself and her contemporaries, women's athletic meetings are now run by women on a separateground from the men.

. This is not because the women objected to competing in men'B meetings, but tacause they prefer to run their own meetings. "We have our own ground and we conduct our own organisations and finances," said Mrs. Magee. "We also pick our own Olympic and Empire Games representatives. When necessary, however, we team in with the men to save expense and overlapping."