Service To Boxing

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 99, 28 April 1945, Page 15

Service To Boxing

PRESIDENT RETIRES

Arthur Joplin Fostered The Amateurs In Auckland For

Eight Years

The encouragement of amateur boxing from the primary schools to the gymnasiums, anil a number of other progressive projects for the benefit, of the sport generally, have marked the four years' presidency of the Auckland Boxing Association which Mr. Arthur 13. Joplin is relinquishing on Monday night.

"Joppy," as he is familiarly known, may well look back with satisfaction on his term of office. He did much to bring the controlling authorities and activc participants, in the sport in closer contact by his personal interest. The fostering of the amateurs has been his hobby and he has continually stressed the benefit of boxing to youth bent on acquiring physical and mental fitness.

Mr. Joplin first became a member of the Auckland Boxing Association in 1925, after a lengthy wait for admission owing to the restricted membership. He was appointed a judge in 1933 and a committeeman in 1935. In 1937 he was appointed a referee and acted in that capacity at the New Zealand championships in ]93( and 1939,

He Was elected chairman of the executive committee of the Auckland association in 1937, holding that office until taking up the position of president in 1941. With the assistance of the late W. Dervan, Messrs. Jim Sloan, Rex Moore, W. Harper and H. Tucker, the new president set about to foster and reorganise the amateur side of the game.

Some of the innovations which came to stay include the introduction of the junior division at the championships in 1940, classes in the primary schools, commencing with two schools in 1940, but now extended to most schools in the metropolitan area, and the suburban all-amateur tournaments. These tournaments gave every boy in training the opportunity to box in public, and resulted in a tremendous fillip to boxing. A practical interest in the welfare of trainers, and generous donations of gloves and equipment have also helped to increase the number of active competitors, Mr. Joplin realised that the trainers are the foundation of the sport and that everything possible should be done to make gymnasiums attractive and adequate training facilities given to boys.

.Mr. Joplin has distinguished himself on the active as well as the executive side of sport. Besides playing football, cricket, feolf, tennis and billiards with distinction, he showed gre •t promise

as a rifle shot, winning the tyros' aggregate at the age of 15 at Trentham in 1907 during the Wellington championships. In 1910 he annexed the open championship of Hawke's Bay after a shoot-off with the late Jack Given, at Redhills. His Ring Career Turning to boxing in 1910 under the tutelage of Ted Knight, onetime prominent professional lightweight, Arthur Joplin won the Wellington bantam title in 1911, defeating Ike Kutrier, well-known as a boxing trainer in Australia, in the final. After winning his first bout at the New Zealand championships at Wellington in 1912 an injured wrist forced his retirement from the tournament. Enlisting with the First N.Z.E.F. in 1910, Mr. Joplin saw service in France as a sergeant, and was selected to join (he Artillery Boxing Camp at Colincamps and assisted in training competitors for the New Zealand finals on June 27, 1918, at Authres Wood, lie was also in the corner for Jack Ileeney, Des Lawless and Craig at Marieux, where the 4th Army Corps championships were held. After a period with the Army of Occupation at Cologne, he was appointed instructor in conjunction with Frank Galvin, well known in Wellington boxing circles. Fortunately, his services will not be lost to the sport, for he will be an ex-officio member of the executive.