Ambitious Scheme For City Sporting Centre

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28155, 19 December 1956, Page 10

Ambitious Scheme For City Sporting Centre

‘‘The Press” Special Service

NEW PLYMOUTH, December 18. “Don’t let anyone remark in the hearing of Mr I. B. Cromb, Christchurch, former «New Zealand cricket captain and the man who showed the way to better cricket with his extremely successful coaching school at Stratford, that cricket clubs are unable to muster the finance and powerful influence of some of the larger Rugby clubs in the Dominion,” says an article in the “Taranaki Daily News.” “During his stay at Stratford he told us something of the activities of his own club, East Christchurch, and in doing so, unfolded the story of an organisation that could well be adopted as a model by clubs throughout New Zealand. “It is the story of initiative, of the seizing of opportunities—and of success. “The East Christchurch Club did not have a great deal of room in which to expand but when it learned that a ratepayers’ association had collected £3OOO towards the development of an area known as Macfarlane Park it promptly approached the association and suggested a merger. Its suggestion was accepted and the first obstacle—that of a suitable ground—was overcome.

“The association had planned to develop the park as a social centre but with the help and drive of the East Christchurch club this scheme was broadened very considerably. . The club’s part in the alliance was to organise and control the sports side of things—and right well has it measured up to its self-imposed .task. “A large concrete strip, sufficient for about 10 wickets or more was put down and used for the sort of cricket coaching that Mr Cromb so ably demonstrated at Stratford. The scheme grew apace. It is now proposed to field all manner of teams under the name of East Christchurch—Rugby, Rugby League, soccer, hockey, and basketball during the winter and in addition to the cricket teams, softball sides durincr the summer.

“A hall measuring 80 feet by 40 feet ’s being built and when this is completed Macfarlane P=»rk. +hank« largely to the drive of Mr Cromb. will be the centre of a thriving shorts arpa. r ’hris+ohiirch. while still retaining it« first function as a cricket club. will, in effect, be a snorts club, catering for many interests. Schoolboy Teams

‘‘Many schoolboys’ teams have been formed and the measure of support accorded them by parents has been astonishing. But there is a reason for it. These schoolboy teams, unless they are watched by at least two parents at every game, are not allocated any points in their various championships —win. lose or draw.

Under the circumstances the pressure is always applied to either one or both parents to watch the game—and who can indefinitely withstand the nleadings and blandishments of a youthful son?

‘lf the parents join the social club, at a fee of £2 2s a head a year, their son, or sons, receive free coaching from Mr Cromb and his club until such tim** as they are old enough to play for the club proper. “Women’s cricket teams ar? also going to be formed and when the

hall is completed it is hoped that teams, playing matches against East Christchurch at Macfarlane Park will have a meal in the building after the game and finish off the day with a dance.

“At present the club’s membership numbers in the vicinity of 80, but within two seasons it is anticipated that membership will have grown to between 1000 and 1500.

“Indoor sports, such as table tennis and bowls, will also be provided and in the near future it is proposed to install an 18-hole putting course. “Mothers will not have any trouble seeking someone to care for their children while they do their shopping. A keen women’s committee . intends working out a roster so that a woman is on duty to care for children at almost any time. “If Mr Cromb and his men make a success of this scheme—and it seems certain they will—then some 30 acres at Kerrs reach will probably also be handed over to him for development along the same lines. In the club’s scheme, the powers that be see a very valuable weapon in combatting child delinquency and there is a chance that, it may be adopted as a model elsewhere in New Zealand.”

Asked to comment upon the report, Mr Cromb said that the concrete strip to accommodate 10 wickets had not yet been put down. Some difficulty had been experienced in finding a suitable site at Macfarlane Park but an inspection of the ground last Saturday had in part resolved this problem. The hall mentioned in the report (the proposal of the Shirley Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association), had not yet been started, said Mr Cromb, but it was expected that the erection of the building would be begun early next year. It was proposed to form many schoolboys’ teams, but- so far, only two had been formed, he said. Mr Cromb elaborated on the Kerr’s Reach scheme mentioned in the report. It had been privately suggested to him by the City Council that if the scheme at Macfarlane Park should prove a success, he might be asked to take charge of a similar scheme at Kerr’s Reach when, and if, the council decided to purchase the 30 acres available there.