ASSOCIATION’S POLICY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28129, 19 November 1956, Page 19

ASSOCIATION’S POLICY

‘Long-Range Planning’ For Olympics

The New Zealand Hockey Association Council’s policy of planning for three years to send a team to the Olympic Games, was praised by two speakers at the complimentary dinner given to the team by the New Zealand association on Saturday evening. Mr E. McLeod, the team’s coach, said the council’s “long-range planning’’ ha/i certainly borne fruit. The present team was the best yet, and he was confident that it would acquit itself well. The captain, J.- Tynan, spoke in similar vein. Hockey players in the Dominion owed a debt to the New Zealand council for its planning, and the trials for the team had been most helpful, he said. The team was the best he had played in, and its morale was very high. All the players were conscious that New Zealand participation in future hockey events at Olympic Games would depend on the team’s showing.

The chairman of the association’s council (Mr J. G. Leggat) wished the team every success, and said he hoped this team would be the first of many hockey teams to take part in the Olympics. Mr H. R. Lake. M.P.. who represented the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) also spoke and wished the team well.