Canterbury swimmer bound for Alabama

Press, 17 January 1986, Page 26

Canterbury swimmer bound for Alabama

By KEVIN TUTTY The Canterbury and New Zealand swimming representative, Grant Forbes, is likely to leave Christchurch in August to accept a scholarship with the University of Alabama.

Forbes has been offered a place in the university’s talented squad by its renowned coach, Don Gambril, who has trained United States Olympic teams. Forbes could have started at the university this month but was unable to accept when the offer was made in November.

Forbes, who will be 22 in March, said he was approached by Mr Gambrill with two telephone calls and a letter in November. Gambril has had difficulty - recruiting breaststroke swimmers for his squad, said Forbes and he would be losing others

later this year. “There are apparently seven full scholarships available later in the year and I hope to get one of those. I have sent away the relevant papers to the university and am waiting to

hear back from them.”

“If I get the scholarship I will keep swimming for another couple of years. There is not much for me in New Zealand now and I was thinking of retiring after the Commonwealth Games. If I get the scholarship I will continue and try to qualify for the Olympic Games in 1988.” Since leaving school three years ago, Forbes has been working as a carpenters’ labourer — job which has enabled him to earn a living while continuing to swim. Forbes will be the fourth New Zealander to join Gambril’s squad. The others already there are Michael Davidson, Carmel Clarke and Ann Doig. They were all members of the New Zealand team at the Los Angeles Olympics and seem certain to be selected for the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.