N.Z. oarsman at 15

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33963, 2 October 1975, Page 26

N.Z. oarsman at 15

George Keys, aged 15, picked last week for the national colts rowing eight to compete in Australia next month, is almost certainly the youngest oarsman to represent New Zealand.

Naturally, Keyes was “taken by surprise" by his selection as he does not turn 16 until December and the age limit for colts crews — normally a stepping stone to senior representation . — is 22.

The national selectors, who recently i held trials on the Wanganui River, were well aware of the age factor when picking Keyes, but considered that the unusual maturity he showed in the various tests revealed that it would not be detrimental to select him at such an early age. Mr Fred Strachan, the convener of the selectors and a widely respected judge of potential, was very impressed with the capable way Keyes handled the demanding tests, now part and parcel of the selection of national crews. “Keyes has- the ideal build for an Olympic oarsman (he is 14st 21b and 6ft 3in and

the technique he showed I was exceptional for a 15-year-old, as was his rowing form generally.” The ability to relax while rowing is vital for a top eight-oared rower, and Mr i Strachan considers that Keyes has this. Two tests are undergone 1 to -determine physical 1 strength — one on the er- 1 gometer and the other a ! general strength test. Keyes rated fairly high on the first 1 and was in the upper l bracket in the second. ; “The way Keyes rowed 1 the six-minute test showed that he is rowing below his I capacity —■ to be expected 1 in one so young. This was I very important in our seled- 1 tion■ considerations as -het hasn’t yet learnt to punish! himself and is likely to ’ develop during squad train- i ing at Kerfs Reach and on 1 the tour,” said Mr Strachan. I

A personality test conducted by Dr -H. E. Williams, a psychology lecturer at Otago University, showed that Keyes was likely to fit in with the stress of intensive squad training. While it is likely that Keyes is too young to receive serious consideration for the Olympics next year, it seems certain that he will

be a top contender for senior representation when the world championships are held on Lake Karapiro in 1978. Keyes, who is scheduled to sit School Certificate this year, will miss all but his English examination — the team leaves on November 23 after six weeks intensive training — but it is probable that he will be granted sixth forfn entry by his school, St Bede’s College, if he chooses to return next year and does well in his term examinations. His ultimate ambition is to win a seat in a senior New. Zealand crew, but at the moment his eyes are firmly fixed on his school eight’s becoming the first from the South Island to win the Maadi Cup; last March it finished a creditable second, and five members are expected to return

next year. Keyes began his rowing with Avon in the 1972-73 season but did not compete seriously for the club then: “I just filled in dr rowed around in single sculls.” He later went straight into the maiden eight, bypassing the normal procedure which requires competing in novice crews first