Canterbury's "Oarsman of the Year'

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34146, 6 May 1976, Page 30

Canterbury's "Oarsman of the Year'

Ray Flanagan, bow of the Avon crew which recently became the first South Island eight to win the New Zealand title, has been named Canterbury’s “Oarsman of the Year.” Flanagan's selection was a “complete surprise” to him, but the reaction of his clubmates points to its being one of the most popular choices. Since Flanagan joined the Avon club in 1967. together with 30 or 40 other novices — “a lot from the Marist Rugby Club” — he impressed everyone with his dedication and striving towards supreme fitness In 1971. he had his first real success when with Athol Earl, the Munich Olympic gold medallist, he crewed the Avon junior four and eight which won the New Zealand final at Lake Karapiro. For four vears after that. Flanagan was a member of Avon senior eights which failed, sometimes narrowly — in 1975 by just 2ft — to win the New Zealand senior title. But nine weeks ago. after months of arduous training, Fanagan’s crew, which includes five men who are

going to the Montreal Olympics, finally won. Flanagan, at little over 12st the lightest member of the Avon eight, now intends to give up active rowing and turn his lively hand to coaching. ' "Lately, I've just been i running with the harriers to i keep fit.” he said. *1 will wait and see what happens ’ next season.” , The Canterbury selectors ’ ako chose Steve Menzies, a member of the Union junior four, as winner of the Aca- > demv of Physical Training ■ trophy for the best physii callv prepared oarsman. Menzies is one of the • trialists for the New Zealand 1 Colts eight which will comnete against Australian state crews in New Zealand at the end of the year.