Grading of officials before Chch games

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32460, 21 November 1970, Page 48

Grading of officials before Chch games

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON.

New Zealand athletics officials are to be examined and graded by their national association before the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, the annual meeting of the N.Z.A.A.A. decided yesterday.

The management committee of the association had earlier called for written submissions on the question of grading officials.

New Zealand make an attempt to become affiliated to the International Cross-Coun-try Federation was withdrawn when it was pointed out that the constitution of the federation prevented additions to its membership. A move by Canterbury to get the N.Z.A.A.A. to recognise a 1600-metre event as an alternative to, and eventually as a replacement, for the 1500-metre event was also withdrawn. INTERNATIONAL TREND Mr B. H. Kerr (Canterbury), suggested there could be a world-wide trend in the next year or so to replace the “metric mile,” as the 1500-metre event has become known, with a 1600-metre race.

of age and over would be included in the cross-country championships programme. A move by Auckland to have the national cross-coun-try championships an open event—allowing any athlete in the country to take part—was withdrawn. MARATHON TROPHY A new trophy has been awarded for the New Zealand marathon championship. The Canadian National Exhibition trophy, it will be awarded annually to the winner of the event. Mr J. H. Borland (Southland), was elected president, succeeding Mr S. N. McKenzie. The only other nomination for the post was Mr K. S. Jameson (Canterbury). Ml- Blazey was returned unopposed as chairman and Mr G. W. Jackman as treasurer. Messrs Borland, B. Hunt and C. J. Thompson were elected as the three track and field selectors, and Messrs L. T. Bradshaw, N. A. Clarke and J. Cunningham as the cross-country selectors.

At yesterday’s meeting, one delegate, Mr W. J. Livingstone, said some officials were “just not competent.” “By the time 1974 comes, we don’t want only those who have given long service to the sport,” he said. “We want competent officials. "It’s going to mean that we have to tread on a few people’s toes but I think we have to do that now.” The motion that officials should be graded was passed but the method of examination was not decided. INTER-ISLAND MATCH Earlier, the meeting, had recommended the holding of an inter-island meeting next year and agreed athletes would have more top-class competition as a lead-up to the 1974 Games. A Canterbury motion that

But the chairman of the association (Mr C. A. Blazey), said that as far as he knew there was no imminent move by the International Amateur Athletic Federation to do away with the 1500-metre race. “It’s been around for a long time now and-it’s only logical that it continue,” he said. ’ Earlier, Mr Blazey had told the meeting that qualifying standard times for the 1972 Olympic Games at Munich I would be issued next April. HARRIER SUBSTITUTES A motion from Wellington allowing for the substitution of harrier team members who are for some reason forced to withdraw at the last minute before the national cross-country championship was passed. “Each centre may nominate up to four emergencies per event to replace team members unable to compete at any time up to one hour before the championship events,” the motion said. The association alsd decided that a non-championship meeting for veterans 40 years