INWARD OR OUTWARD... Sports and council disagree on tours

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33873, 19 June 1975, Page 18

INWARD OR OUTWARD... Sports and council disagree on tours

New Zealand Press Association 1 WELLINGTON. I he Council for Recreation and Sport had a difference of opinion with some national bodies on the importance of oxerwas tours, the report of the council tabled in Parliament yesterday said.

The council acknowledged that there was a national identity to be established, and that the community readily associated itself with success in international competition. However, with the funds available, the council considered priority should be given to the nrovision of facilities and development of coaching and leadership programmes. with limited support for overseas tours. “The council believes that greater value for money is achieved by bringing intema-

tional teams to New Zea land." the report says.

"Not only are competitors at provincial level able to match themselves against the international representatives, i but sports organisations receive revenue from the gate and the taxpayer who supplies the funds is able to see such international teams in taction." Members of the council I met 120 national recreation 'and sports administrators I last year and there was an (interchange of information, [ideas, and plans for future (development.

I "These meetings were inivaluable. It enabled council [members to acquire an intiI mate knowledge of the prob|lems and aspirations of such bodies and provided a sound . factual basis in making re- | commendations to the Minister of Recreation and Sport.” I the report says.

Coaching centre? 1 The meetings showed con-' 'siderable interest by most' organisations in the provision i .of national coaching and I training centres, and the council was investigating possible venues and costs for such centres. It was found also that the [ high cost of supplying efficient administration was. shackling the development of. national organisations. Ac- [ cordingly, the council had decided to find out the cost of I servicing a secretariat for; national bodies to establish) whether or not a pilot | scheme should be introduced.[ Organisations had ex-' pressed concern about the drop-out rate from sport i

from school leavers and hac expressed strong support I t the "Come Alive" camp., c: 'the report said , $1.78 distributed | The local subside scheme 'again proved successful nearlv $1.78 million being distributed to a wide range of organisations, and the increase in funds enabled a regional subsidy to be implemented.

■ The council recommended |to the Minister of Sport and Recreation (Mr Walding) that initially the regional scheme should be limited to signifiicant facilities, preferably ot la multi-purpose nature. A [total of $578,828 was distri[buted. However it was clear that (few local authorities, acting ion their own. would have the [resources to finance a large recreational project.

“It is only right, therefore, that local authorities should get together to provide facilt ties which serve a whole area.” the report says.

| Assistance al top "The council believes that strong independent national associations are vital for the (continued development of [recreation and sport. "While the subsidies given iby the Minister to recreaitionai organisations at the [local and regional level undoubtedly give strength to I recreation at the grass roots, (assistance is also required at (the top.” ) On the basis of applications made by national organisations. Mr Walding approved grants and subsidies totalling $501,423.