Maddaford not trying for Games

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33381, 13 November 1973, Page 28

Maddaford not trying for Games

(N.Z. Press Association; AUCKLAND. Nov. 12. Lack of financial help from the NewZealand Amateur Athletic Association has decided Rex Maddaford (Auckland ) against returning home to press his claims for selection in the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team. Maddaford, who still holds four New Zealand athletic records (for the senior six miles and junior one, two and three miles) has been studying at the Eastern New Mexico University for the last four years. He wrote recently to the N.Z.A.A.A. seeking some financial help to return home to contest the national championships and Commonwealth Games trials in Christchurch in three weeks, but his request was turned down. In a letter to his family, Maddaford said that he was a little upset that the New Zealand association was not prepared to financially assist his return. There were several Kenyan and Canadian athletes at the university, and their national associations had

provided finance to enable them to return home for their Games trials. Originally he hoped to qualify for the New Zealand team on the basis of his performances in the United States this year, but the N.Z.A.A.A. decided it would not accept overseas performances this time, and any athlete wishing to qualify for the Games would have to return hame to contest the national championships. Maddaford had intended to make his Games bid in the 3000 metres steeplechase, and it was this event he was to have raced in at the New Zealand championships in Christchurch on November 30 and December 1 (writes “The Press” athletics reporter). Earlier this year he ran the event in Bmin 46Jsec, well inside the Games qualifying standard of Bmin 58sec. However, .his time only gives him tenth ranking in the Commonwealth. There are two other New Zealand athletes ranked ahead of him. R. P. Dixon (Nelson) is sixth with a best time of Bmin 29sec, and N. Healey (Auckland) is ninth with a time of Bmin 43.25ec.