New athletics leader former Canterbury Rugby full-back

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33675, 26 October 1974, Page 4

New athletics leader former Canterbury Rugby full-back

(By

R. O. DEW)

Track and field competition was not among the sports in which Mr M. A. Flynn participated during his youth. Not until 14 years ago, when his children began taking an interest in athletics, did he become seriously involved for the first time. But since that time he has contributed much to the sport and this was recently recognised, with his election as the new president of the Canterbury Athletic Centre. The season ahead, with the New Zealand Games being held in Christchurch, is another important one but as far as the centre is concerned Mr Flynn is regarding it as one of consolidation rather than

one in which spectacular advances should be attempted. “It is going to take us a full season to settle down properly in Queen Elizabeth II Park. We have got to come to terms with the problem of organisation there.” But one thing which Mr Flynn hopes to do this season is to revitalise the annual Pat Boot Memorial meeting — once regarded as the chib championship of the South Island. He is keen to see the championship concept return and is hopeful that new rules, which have already been approved by the Canterbury centre,’will make this possible. The rules are now being considered by the South Canterbury subcentre, which has the final say in the destiny of the contest. Basically, these allow for smaller areas such as the West Coast and South Canterbury to enter “representative” teams instead of club teams. Minor clubs

will be allowed to combine, provided the total of their members does not exceed 40. A recommendation that a small subsidy be provided for teams coming from outside Christchurch is also under consideration.

Mr Flynn intends to continue with the centre’s policy of encouraging young people to compete in the under age grades at interclub level and is particularly interested in attracting those from the countrydistricts.

Although he was never a serious athlete. Mr Flynn did compete while attending the Ashburton Technical College. One year he won the college’s junior athletics championship and set records in both the long and triple jumps. ,

But when he left school, tennis and rugby were the two sports which occupied his attention. He played tennis at A grade club level in Christchurch and achieved even greater prominence in the winter sport. He was a key' member of the combined Linwood Technical Old BoysNew Brighton senior team and was only' 19 when he was first chosen to represent Canterbury as a fullback.

Unfortunately, his career came to a sudden end the following year in 1944 when he suffered a severe injury to his left leg. “1 did it while I was tackling an opponent. Somehow, I must have twisted my leg. A nerve was severed and as a result I have still got this floppy foot. I had a calliper on it for five years but eventually got fed up and threw it away.”

A train running officer with the New Zealand Railways Department. Mr Flynn was living in Greymouth when he had his first introduction to athletics. Two of his eldest children. Sally and Michael, became interested in the sport. “1 made myself known to the administrators in Greymouth and my involvement grew from there".

Sally (now Mrs Mene) has gone on to win New Zealand championships in the discus and javelin and has twice represented the Dominion at Commonwealth Games.

Mr Flynn brought his family back to Christchurch in 1964 and joined the Technical club. Within four years, his leadership qualities had been noticed and he was elected president. a position he held for six years before stepping down earlier this year.

He was first elected to the executive of the Canterbury centre eight years ago. For the three years prior to his election as the sport’s administrative leader in the province, he was a vice president.