COACHING COURSE FOR ATHLETES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27489, 25 October 1954, Page 12

COACHING COURSE FOR ATHLETES

THREEDAY SCHOOL IN CHRISTCHURCH

More than 100 athletes, ranging in age from 13 to 28. are taking part in a three-day coaching school at St. Andrew’s College. The school, conducted by coaches of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, will conclude today. Notable athletes are to be found on the coaching panel, and also among the pupils. The 10 coaches include several holders of the association’s coaching diploma, New Zealand champions, and a British Empire Games representative. Among the pupils are novices, schoolchildren, more champions and record holders, and, again, a British Games representative.

Leading the coaching panel is Mr H. Salter, a graduate of Loughborough College of physical education in England, who is physical education lecturer at the Dunedin Teachers’ College. Mr S. Dawson, another member of the ganel, is a well-known athlete and has een placed 14 times in New Zealand championship events, but so far he has not won an event. He formerly held the New Zealand junior long jump record. On Saturday and yesterday he had responsibility for the two largest groups on the course, sprints and hurdles. Eighty pupils assembled for printing instruction, and six extra coaches had to be brought in to help Mr Dawson.

The British Empire Games representative on the panel is Mervyn Richards, New Zealand pole vault chamion. Others are Peter Smith, Graham Kerr (formerly New Zealand junior 880 yards champion), Lieutenant Roy Young, physical education director at Burnham Military Camp, Father Ryan, of St. Bede’s College, Leo Ward, Trevor Sweeney, and Mrs K. S. Jameson, who organised the school.

The school was officially opened at St. Andrew’s college on Saturday morning by Mr J. Harbut, president of the Nsw Zealand Amateur-Athletic Association. Visiting athletes were welcomed by the president of the Canterbury Centre (Flight Lieutenant E. Lunn), and Mr K. S. Jameson, president of the Toe H Club, which is sponsoring the school. Mr J. Stewart, headmaster of the college, also welcomed the athletes.