Encouragement for junior skaters

Press, 27 August 1977, Page 12

Encouragement for junior skaters

Bv

BOB SCHUMACHER

An experienced Australian international ice skating judge, Mr Sidney Croll, had words of encouragement for New Zealand junior artistic skaters after he had watched them compete in the national championships in Auckland last week. Mr Croll, who left Christchurch this week after holding seminars for judges and prospective judges in Auckland. Invercargill and Christchurch. said that he hdped he had created incentive for young skaters.

Mr Croll said that the International Skating Union had established world junior championships two years ago. For free and figure-skating there was an age restriction of under=l6 and for the pairs skating and ice dancing, it was under-18. He said the championships had been well attended with Australia represented on both occasions. “I’m most hopeful there will soon be New Zealand juniors competing in international competition with their goal being the world junior championships. “I saw considerable talent at the New Zealand championships and 1 feel this could be developed with national coaching. The standard compares quite favourably with the level in Australia but it needs more coaching. New Zealand can do it — it has proved it can in rugby, rowing and other sports.” Mr Croll, from Sydney, Is well-qualified to voice an opinion. He has a long association with ice skating as an artistic competitor and ice hockey player. He has been a senior administrator in Australis for 30 years and was nominated by the Australian association as a member of the I.S.U. international panel in the early 19505. He was appointed to the panel and officiated at the 1956 Winter Olympic Games and at the world championships two weeks later. He has since

attended many inter* national competitions and was a judge at this year's world figure championships. Mr Croll said that the New Zealand trators he had met enthusiastic about ing the junior talent. “It’s the boys and girls who are 12 and 13 years that you start with. Prepare them for the world junior championships now; they will be eligible to compete for three years or more.” he said.