Briedis May Be Chosen As Jamaica Coach

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31017, 24 March 1966, Page 15

Briedis May Be Chosen As Jamaica Coach

The man who has been largely responsible for Canterbury’s present dominance in national women’s athletics, Mr Valdemars Briedis. may be chosen to accompany the New Zealand athletic team to the Jamaican Empire Games in August as its official coach —if the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association decides to send one. Mr Briedis, who is the coach of the Olympic competitors, Mrs V. 1. Young and Mrs M. A. Stephen, and several other Empire Games aspirants, has been approached by the president of the Canterbury Coaches’ Association (Mr P. D. Brown) and has agreed to make himself available if required.

If he is appointed, he will join the very select i?roup of coaches who have controlled national athletic teams of two different countries. ,

A Latvian by birth, Mr Briedis is a former Dutch Olympic coach.

Since he came to New Zealand 15 years ago. Mr Briedis has made a tremendous impact on the athletic scene.

This season, alone, five women athletes under his care have been able to put the shot more than 50ft. But his coaching is not confined to field events, although this is his main forte. Seven Titles He was the guiding light behind Mrs Stephen, who took the bronze medal in the Tokyo Ol'-mpic SOO metres. Another of his athletes Miss L Hurrell. won the New Zealand 220 vards title last season, and his athletes have dominated the women's pentathlon championship for a number of years. Five women athletes coached bv him. Misses L. Curtis (high jumn). B. Poulsen (pen tathlon). S. A. Flvnn (javelin). Mesdames Young (shot and discus) and Stephen (440 yards and 880 yards), won seven New Zealand titles between them this season. A good proportion of these are obviously in the running for Empire Games selection and for them, at least, his prescence nt Jamaica could mean the difference between success and failure. However, the Amateur Ath lotic Association has not vet made a decision on whether it will send a coach. Financial Losses With the losses made on international meetings this season has been a rather disastrous one financially for the association and it may decide that the additional expense of sending a coach is not warranted. Nevertheless, if it is to be consistent with its previous policy (Mr A. L. Lydiard was its official coach at Tokyo), it must send a coach. Mr Brown said yesterdav that it was likely that a coach would be sent. The New Zealand Coaches' Association had

If the New Zealand A.A.A. agrees to finance an official ' coach, it is likely that the coaches’ association will circularise its branches in a form of postal vote to select the person to go forward for nomination . Mr Lydiard. who is at present living in Mexico and training athletes under con tract, is not available.

already applied to the athletic association seeking the recognition of an official coach for Jamaica. About 10 names were al readv in hand for the position, although Mr Briedis was probablv the strongest candidate, said Mr Brown. Mr J. Bellwood (Auckland) was another likely contender for the position.