My time is up, says selector

Press, 26 February 1983, Page 64

My time is up, says selector

By

JOHN COFFEY

Harry Walker, who has been a member of the New Zealand rugby league selection panel since 1978, will not be seeking re-election this year. A former Canterbury and South Island selector and coach, and a man with distinguished records as an administrator and player. Mr Walker said that now was an appropriate time to step down. “With Graham Lowe taking over from Ces Mountford as the Kiwi coach, it is probably a chance for new ideas to be introduced," he zsaid. Mr yalker was elected to

the national panel under the old format of three members, and has continued to serve since the regional scheme was adopted in 1979. His retirement leaves the way open for a new South Island representative, with the logical candidates being Mr Walker’s fellow island selectors, Ces Clark (West Coast), and Gary Clarke (Canterbury). During Mr Walker’s term as a New Zealand selector, the Kiwis successfully toured Britain and France, performed very well against those countries in home tests, and all but upset Australia at Brisbane last year. It has also been a period when many leading pNew

Zealand players have joined overseas clubs on lucrative professional contracts. Their success, Mr Walker said, proved that New Zealand was capable of developing footballers of the highest calibre. As a player Mr Walker earned South Island honours in the centres and assisted the Christchurch (now Eastern Suburbs) club to its first Canterbury championship in 1948. He later worked for many years as a coach and administrator in schoolboy league, before accepting his first Canterbury senior selection and coaching appointments in 1970. In 1972. Mr Walker almost earned the distinction of

coaching Canterbury to its first victory over Auckland at Carlaw Park. A late try enabled Auckland to escape with a 16-16 draw. Mr Walker also spent five years on the Canterbury board of control, and he played a part in the selection of the South Island team which beat Australia three years ago, the last loss suffered by the world champion Kangaroos. Mr Walker will continue to take a keen interest in the progress of the code and its participants. He also has the satisfaction of knowing that he steps down with the respect of all the players with whom he has been associated.