SWIMMING More Inter-Centre Competition Urged

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30269, 23 October 1963, Page 15

SWIMMING More Inter-Centre Competition Urged

Consideration had to be given to increasing inter-centre competition, members of the Canterbury Swimming Centre agreed last evening. It was decided to discuss the matter at a later meeting.

They had to consider introducing competition against strong centres such as Auckland, said Mr Luscombe Even if it was only for juniors M would help to raise the standard. Auckland and Waikato were strong simply because they competed against each other, he said. “We do sadly lack interoemtire competition,” emphasised Mr Stentiford. The chairman (Mr M R Duckmanton): “When are we going to fit it in?"

Mr Stentiford: “When do other cehtres fit it in?"

Mr J. H. Jrt'nson suggested that there was no need for inter-club and inter-centre competitions to be held on different days. It would be possible to send the top juniors away and the half dozen taken out of the interclub carnivals would give the others a chance to record a win.

It would be possible to send juniors, or even under-14 swimmers, to a weak centre and they would be extended

against an older age group. Mr Johnson said. Participation In future, selection for Canterbury teams will be dependent on the regular participation of swimmers under consideration at inter-club carnivals. The centre agreed that there was no reason why top-line swimmers could not compete in 25-yard pools. The matter was raised by Mr J. U Slack. He said that very few leading swimmers attended the inter-club carnivals held in 25-yard pools.

Mi\ Duckmanton described the attitude of these swimmers as “taking st a bit far.” “They started in these posts." said Mr R W H Luscombe. Many of the world s top-flight swimmers did their training in 25-yard pools, he said.

“Some disciplinary action should be meted out to these people," said Mr J. H. Drummond. He suggested that the swimmers be notified that their selection depended on their attendance at all carnivals.

Permission for the Akaroa Progress Association to hold a harbour swim on January 5 was granted.