ATHLETICS COACH ALLEGES ILLEGAL TACTICS IN RACE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 11

ATHLETICS COACH ALLEGES ILLEGAL TACTICS IN RACE

An allegation that illegal tactics had been used by Technical runners in the junior three-mile event at Rugby Park last Saturday was made in writing to the Canterbury centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last evening by the coach of the Greymouth Amateur Athletic Club (Mr T. Sweeney). As a result, the centre decided to prohibit all except competitors and officials from passing beyond the water jump and the official sprint starting point It also decided to place an extra track steward along the back straight of the 440-yard circuit. The referee (Mr E. Lunn) was given full authority to enforce the centre’s decisions.

Mr Sweeney said that he had written to confirm his action in advising two officials, Messrs G. Valier and W. Kennedy, of illegal incidents in the running of the race. "We feel that we suffer enough disadvantages with travel, remoteness from Christchurch, and lack of outside experience without having to overcome illegal tactics,” he said. It had been fairly obvious from the start that the Technical club’s three runners were to run as a team, which was entirely legal, but the manner of their team-work left much to be desired, Mr Sweeney said. Throughout at least the first seven laps they had continually interfered with the Greymouth runner, E. Gray. Gray was jostled with elbows, and one Technical runner, continually running on his heels, almost took his running shoe off at the heel.

In addition, Mr Sweeney said, the Technical coach on the sideline and on the track, three lanes in, assisted his runnei-s with well-timed instructions as to when to make their break in the back straight. Members agreed that coaches and supporters had been giving encouragement to runners along the back straight, often while standing on the track, and that it was against the rules of the centre. Accordingly, it was decided to restrict the movements of nan-officials and

non-competitors and to place a track steward on the back straight.

When asked to comment on the alleged illegal tactics,

Mr Lunn, the referee of the meeting. Mid that he had not seen any illegal tactics and that none of his stewards had reported anything to him. ‘1 think that is the end of the matter, then," said the chairman (Mr J. E Millar). Indoor Track

The All-Weather Track Committee was getting no support from clubs at all, Mr N. A Smith said when commenting on a letter from the H-5.0.8. Club suggesting that a meeting of club secretaries be called to discuss the project.

An open meeting had recently been called by the committee and only six persona had attended. He had been purely an observer and not much use. Mr Smith said. The letter was referred to the All-Weather Track Committee.

Mr Miller and Mrs U Mooney were appointed manager and chaperone for the Canterbury team which will compete at the New Zealand athletic championships to be held at Dunedin on March 1 and 2. Mr Kennedy was appointed manager of the junior team which will compete ait the New Zealand junior championships at Hawera on March 8 and 9.