SEASON'S REST FOR HODGE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30940, 22 December 1965, Page 11

SEASON'S REST FOR HODGE

J?OR the second time in his noteworthy career, R. L. Hodge, the country’s leading springboard diver, hau sacrificed a chance to compete at the Empire Games. He has withdrawn from the national squad for the 1966 Games in Jamaica because of business and domestic reasons, and will miss the Canterbury and New Zealand championships as well. Four years ago Hodge’s studies forced him out of the running for the Empire Games in Perth. As a 16-year-old be was sixth in the 1958 Games springboard diving championship at Cardiff. Hodge, however, has no

thoughts of retiring but the scale of his activities will depend on the way he shapes next summer. In the last eight years Hodge has won the national senior diving title seven times, his only defeat being at the hands of A. M. Winther (Wellington) at Blenheim in 1964. Hodge had previously beaten Winther at the Masterton Golden Games and later repeated this effort in successfully defending his Canterbury title last season. Hodge’s decision to withdraw from competition this season, following hard on the heels of J. P. de Malmanche's transfer to Auckland, seriously weakens Canterbury diving. An addition to the ranks is P. Gazley, a former national junior champion, who is in the Air Force and stationed at Wigram. But he is unlikely to make a full-scale comeback. The spotlight will be focussed on Miss H. Hutton,

who will be endeavouring to win back the national women’s title and prove herself worthy of nomination for Jamaica. Miss Hutton was the New Zealand champion for three years, but for the last two seasons has finished second to Miss G. Morley (Hawke’s BayPoverty Bay). In spite of a trip to Australia with the New Zealand team last season. Miss Morley has not filled the image of a confident, polished champion that was suggested by her performances

earlier in her career. The way is open for Miss Hutton to fill that role and give New Zealand a women's champion with the stature enjoyed by Hodge and Winther. She has the experience and the technique to attain the goal.