SHIMMING AUSTRALIAN TOURS AS INCENTIVE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29643, 13 October 1961, Page 15

SHIMMING AUSTRALIAN TOURS AS INCENTIVE

Visits by New Zealand swimming teems to Australia are confidently expected to become a regular incentive feature of the sport in this country, says the annual report of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, to be presented at the annual meeting of the association at Labour weekend. Two successful tours have already been made, but the council has not envisaged a similar tour in 1961-62. because of the closeness of the British Empire Games at Perth, says the report. “However, taking the view that these tours do provide excellent experience for our swimmers, it may be considered advisable to send away a small team of younger swimmers who may have the potential for future

years,” it says. "Thu would serve the dual purpose of giving them experience and of maintaining the liaison with Australia that has already been built up. "The association's finance has not, in some respects, been as heavily called upon as was expected and it appears likely that money could be available for this purpose.” The report adds that, in discussion with the Australian Union as a whole, the president of the New Zealand body (Mr A. J. Donaldson) obtained a promise of the fullest co-operation with the Dominion, inside the limits of Australia's other commitments. This season it was expected that the best Australian competitors emerging from a contest with Japan in January would be made available for a New Zealand tour. The report says that the 1960-61 season could be considered one of progress and great activity. Internal activity was on an unprecedented scale. The viist of the English Olympic swimmers, Misses A. Lonsbrough and N. Steward, was one of the highlights ot a busy season. The standard ot swimming at the national championships, held at Tauranga, was higher than ever before. Twenty-nine records were established at the meeting. Membership has shown a small increase on the previous year's figures. Ten centres have returned increased membership and the total now rests at 20.396—3097 below the record membership returned in 1957.