SWIMMING COACH.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19467, 14 November 1928, Page 4

SWIMMING COACH.

NEED IN CANTERBURY.

USE FOB OLYMPIC FUNDS ?

The desirability of a swimming coach in Canterbury was discussed at a meeting ot the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association last evening. The discussion arose when it was pointed out that the money used for sending swimmers to the Olympic Games could better be used in importing a coach.

Mr T. Patfcon said that in Christchurch they had the material, but the swimmers lacked proper training methods. Recently three swimmers had been sent to the Olympic Games at a great deal of expense. No doubt they had had a good holiday, but what good had it done* to swimming in New Zealand? The New Zealand swimmers had taken pa'rt in the games, but v they had been outclassed. It appeared that they were putting the cart - before tho horse in sending Bwimmers to the games before they had received proper training. There were somo very strong amateur swimming clubs in Christchurch, but there was no professional swimming instructor. It appeared that the monev devoted to sending swimmers away could be subsidised for the importation of an overseas coach. Cricket, golf, and other sports instructors were imported, and he considered that something _in that respect should be done in swimming. The coach could receive fees from the swimmers.. In every ' case where a man was systematically trained, he always did what was expected of him.

Mr C. E. Riordan said that the question of coaches had been discussed many times before. The question was as to whether a suitable coach could be imported for the money. Another point was that one coach would not be able to do 'much in the whole of New Zealand. Mr L. Annand said bringing overseas awimmers to New Zealand did not do much good in the way of improving swimming. The yaung people endeavoured to copy that swimmers style, and that was wrong. Swimming was an art covld onlv be developed in the lndu-i.!-ual. Any two outstanding swimmers did not have the same style. Therefore, they should obtain the services of a coach to train the young swimmers. Mr Patton said that if they could encourage a coach to come to New land by the offer of a smaN subsidy, the coach could make up the rest of his salary in the fees. . The chairman (Mr M. B. Lyons) said that if a coach did come to Clmstchorch he would do a great deal of good for swimming. He did not consider that it would be a success for to come merely us a trainer- he should come as a teacher of swimming, and could then take on training as a sideline. By that method, he could make a .good, living. ~ The chairman said that it was a Mat' ter that should be considered carefully and that the suggestion should be put before the Dominion Council. The matter was held over until next meeting.