ATHLETIC WINDINGS Contests in Aust, urged

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32715, 18 September 1971, Page 48

ATHLETIC WINDINGS Contests in Aust, urged

(By

R. O. DEW)

New Zealand representative track and field teams will compete in Australia each season in future if the findings of three regional study groups set up by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association are implemented.

The groups were set up by the association to plan a course of action for the future.

For years New Zealand! had been trying to get a reci-| procal arrangement with Australia. but the Australians had not been interested, the convener of the southern study group (Mr J. G. Smart) said yesterday. The study groups recommended that New Zealand take the initiative and send a team each year, provided costs did not prove a drain on national funds. The idea was for the chosen athletes to contribute or assist in raising the necessary finance. "It was felt that the clubs would support any athletes chosen for such a tour,” Mr Smart said. The travel committee of the New Zealand association was looking into the matter. “It might well be that the visit will not take place every year, but we particularly want a team to go in what we call our off year—the time when there are no Olympic, Commonwealth, or Pan Pacific Games,” Mr Smart said. The plan was to help athletes improve their standards and provide them with an incentive. NEW CONTEST Another proposal by the study groups is for an annual inter-region contest two weeks after the New Zealand championships. Subject to sponsorship being found, the inaugural event is likely to be held this season in March, probably on the all-weather track at Wellington. Two athletes from each of the three regions for

(every event is envisaged, with | the three place-getters in each jNew Zealand championship , being chosen automatically land the New Zealand selectors having power to add to the fields. In years in which New Zealand teams were selected, the regional contest would automatically become an official trial.

The combined study groups have not recommended separate North and South Island championships or an interisland contest. They are also not prepared to support any move to stage New Zealand championships for junior women or colts.

But the groups did not oppose a proposal from the southern group for a South Island club championship. It is unlikely to be held this year, however, because of lack of an available date. HELP CLUBS

Mr Smart considers that the greatest benefits from the study-group findings will come at "grass-roots level.” "We have got to get out to the clubs—help them, and explain what we are doing,” he said. A circular headed "Characteristics and essentials of a successful club,” prepared by the southern group under Mr Smart’s guidance, has been accepted as a blueprint for clubs. All will be supplied with copies. The study groups have agreed that secondary schools offer the greatest potential for new members and consider that individual clubs should adopt one or more schools. They see a need to establish liaison with the schools to recruit new members.

The groups also recommend that inter-provincial meetings be continued, that regional championships be permitted, and that the management committee look into the ques tion of arranging sponsored events at different venues for top athletes. This latter recommendation came from a suggestion by the southern group that tours should be arranged around the country of small teams of top athletes.