UNSUNG IN N.Z.

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32565, 26 March 1971, Page 24

UNSUNG IN N.Z.

Ranking of gynmasts The exclusion of gymnastics from the list of nine sports for the 1974 Commonwealth Games was the most disappointing news of the year, the president of the Canterbury Gymnastic Association (Mr S. E. Brooks) said in his report to the annual meeting last evening. It was ridiculous to say that gymnastics was not a spectator sport when it was compared to at least two other sports which had been chosen in preference. “If it was the winning of medals that the selection committee was worried about, then they should look hard at the results ’of the World Games gymnastics where New Zealand was placed second of ali the Commonwealth countries; Canada being first,” Mr Brooks aid. Being a very young team, and with the experience gained through competing against the best nations in the world, New Zealand’s gymnastics must have been strengthened. “We are now recognised by the world authorities as a country that holds great potential. It is a great pity that our own countjy does not share the same view,” he added. Referring to gymnastics in Canterbury Mr Brooks said that the province had a number of gymnasts with promising futures and they had to be kept in the sport, but he also warned that it was essential to concentrate on the lower grades as well as those at the top.

Rugby.—Officers of the Canterbury Rugby Referees’ Association are: president Mr D. J. Cunningham; immediate pastpresident, Mr R. H. B. Bull; vice-president, Mr A. V. Langford; secretary, Mr A. K. Mather; treasurer, Mr K. Columbus; C.R.F.U. representative, Mr Cunningham; CJI.F.U. competitions committee representative, Mr L. A. Mahoney; senior coaching Instructor, Mr L. S. Kirk; executive, Messrs G. E. Albertson. J. G. Cadlgan, A. F. Ournsey, L. A. Mahoney, B. E. Powell, and C. D. Topp.