Rowing’s $500,000 plans

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33060, 30 October 1972, Page 26

Rowing’s $500,000 plans

(N.Z. Press Association/ WELLINGTON. New Zealand is determined to retain the high international standing in rowing it has gained in recent years.

Ambitious plans involving the expenditure of $500,000 in the next six years were approved at the annual meeting of the Amateur Rowing Association on Saturday. The foremost of these was a decision to apply for the 1978 world championships, which would be held at Lake Karapiro at a cost of $300,000. The Auckland delegate, Mr C. H. Hilliard, led the campaign to make the application. “Let us have a go and see if we can do it,” he said. “We must not be deterred bj’ the cost. Under a barrage of criticism, we raised $60,000 to send the team to Munich.” Mr Hilliard said that the expenses might be defrayed

to a large extent by the likelihood of a “colossal” gate. The president, Mr D. D. Rowlands, said it would be reasonable to approach the Government for financial backing because the championship would provide great advertising for New Zealand. Four other targets were approved:— Attendance of the national coach, Mr R. Robertson, at a coaching seminar in Switzerland. Four national coaching schools. Five tours by overseas teams. Seven overseas tours by New Zealand teams at colt or full representative level. The first tour by an overseas country will be that of the West Germans this season. They will compete in regattas throughout the country, beginning with the Wanganui championships on February 17. The East Germans will probably visit in 1974, and the Russians and Argentinians in 1975,

In view of all this activity, it was of little wonder that the association gave enthusiastic support to the National Federation of Sport. "A Minister of sport perhaps we do not need, but $l5 million we certainly do,” Mr Rowlands said. A relaxation in the distances of races for school-

boy and novice oarsmen was recommended. Mr Robertson said that instead of the customary 2000 metres, it would be more advisable to have oarsmen in these classes racing over 1000 metres, and even 500 metres. "We would see closer racing and encourage more to stay with us,” he added.