Linwood Boys' Club Does Fine Work For Youth

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28896, 16 May 1959, Page 5

Linwood Boys' Club Does Fine Work For Youth

rpWO former Army cookhouses, * put together to make a large hall, have been the headquarters for the Toe. H. Linwood Boy’s Club for the last seven years and in that period the club has produced a large number of provincial champions, both in amateur wrestling and amateur boxing. Five years ago when Mr B. Winford the Canterbury and New Zealand champion wrestler, L. J. Keats, found pressure of business too great, the gymnasium side was taken over by Mr W. Straw, who had been an amateur wrestler, soccer player and rower. In the last five years the club has grown from a membership of 45 boys to a total of more than 170. Panel The club has a coaching panel second to none in the province and the boys attending receive expert tuition in wrestling, boxing, weight-lifting, weight-training and general gymnastics each winter. Mr Straw is the chief wrestler coach assisted by the well known amateurs I. B. Robert (Canterbury and South Island champion), G Hobson (Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand champion and Empire Games representative), G. Wilson, W. Darrell, C. Ross, and W. Underhay, all former champions, teach the boys boxing. Unfortunately the gymnasium has become dilapidated and 1 the committee of the club —Messrs F. Cootnbes (director), R. Tremberth (chairman) W. Straw (treasurer) and R. Burley, G. Hobson, R, Kavanagh, I. B. Roberts, G. Wilson and O. Rosinau —realises it has to build bigger quarters to hold the growing number of lads who range in age from six to 18. The club has plans drawn up and has secured a permit for the

erection of a new gymnasium of 100 feet by 50 feet in concrete blocks. Additions This will not only be large enough to cater to the district’s needs but will have the additional facilities of space for badminton, indoor bowls and indoor basketball. The committee is sure that the district will rally to its aid to provide funds for the building, and it is hoped the members will not be disappointed, for those who visit the club are impressed with the great work being done and the result achieved with the physical welfare of Linwood youth.