N.Z. Rowing Eight ‘Boys Among Men'

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30593, 9 November 1964, Page 15

N.Z. Rowing Eight ‘Boys Among Men'

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, November 8.

Potential squad oarsmen, some of them proven internationals, were persuaded not to make themselves available for the 1963-64 national eight, the selector, Mr D. D. Rowlands, told the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rowing Association on Saturday.

This situation led to selection of some very young and inexperienced oarsmen, and involved the coach, Mr E. Craies, in a great deal of work to bring them up to standard, said Mr Rowlands. The squad raced well in the country and recorded the fastest time by an eight in New Zealand. A number of theories had been put forward to explain why the squad did not race well at Tokyo. Theories that they were over-trained, overdisciplined, together too long, too tense or had insufficient leisure, were without foundation, however. The fact they did not race well could be summed up simply. “They were boys among men,” said Mr Rowlands. Faulty Equipment Other factors were that their equipment at the time was not right, and there were some cases of sickness. The present squad system could only be called a failure

if New Zealand rowing as a whole failed to recognise steps taken already on the long road to the top. “We must make use of the progress already made by utilising the internationals we now have and the extra knowledge of their coach. We must not allow parochialism or selfish motives to prevail,” said Mr Rowlands. A remit to discontinue the eight-oar training squad system was defeated. Light-weight Fours Also defeated was a motion that light-weight fours at the New Zealand championship regatta be classed as a championship event. Proposals to abandon the provincial eight-oar championship and also to hold trials to determine the order of priority and standard of prospective representative crews were rejected. It was decided that at future regattas all boats should carry numbers of an approved design.