Sculler Accused Of Wasting Time

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31209, 5 November 1966, Page 16

Sculler Accused Of Wasting Time

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON. The New Zealand sculler, M. P. Watkinson, is wasting his time playing around Europe, said Mr R. Porter, coach of the eight which recently competed in the world championships.

In his report to the annual meeting of the Amateur Rowing Association, Mr Porter said that Watklnson needed to be under a coach rather than attempt to compete in European regattas on a basis of self-training. “In all the races he entered, Watkinson did not seem to have the will to win,” said Mr Porter.

The N.Z.A.RA. council authorised and gave financial support to a European tour by Watkinson, the national single sculls champion. He competed in three regattas in England, winning the senior single sculls at being eliminated in

the first round at Henley and finishing eleventh in the world championships. National Titles Two nominations were received, from Auckland and Wellington, to hold the 1567-68 national championships. The final choice will be made when the annual meeting continues today. Officers elected were: — Patron, the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Fergusson; vicepatron, Sir William Stevenson; president, Mr H. T. Jellle; vicepresidents, Messrs C. Butterfield and L. M. Clark; secretary, Mr E. R. McCalman; treasurer, Mr A. Anderson; council, Messrs L. E. Brooker, A. Brown, E. J. Martin, A. R. Byres, W. Eadely, R. A. Edwards, G. U. France, L. L. Hosking, W. J. Jury, H. J. Luke, C. E. Saunders and C. F. Vine.