Change in Games policy

Press, 16 December 1988, Page 44

Change in Games policy

PA Wellington A change of policy and an eye to the future by the Commonwealth and Olympic Games selectors is likely to result in New Zealand’s biggest Commonwealth Games team for Auckland 1990.

A selection policy document was released last evening by the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association guaranteeing a minimum of 170 athletes will represent New Zealand, all of whom will be chosen by each sport’s own selectors and not the N.Z.O.C.G.A.’s. N.Z.O.C.G.A. selectors have met with all 10 Commonwealth Games sports heads to discuss realistic possibilities for 1990 and set qualifying standards. From those discussions the association has guaranteed a place in the team for a specific number who will be chosen by that sport’s own selectors.

A maximum number from each sport has also been set and all athletes above the guaranteed number must be approved by the N.Z.O.C.G.A. selectors.

Formerly standards were set and team selections made solely by the three-man association selection panel. The N.Z.O.C.G.A. head, Bill Garlick, said the new policy was designed to ensure that as the host country, New Zealanders will have the opportunity of seeing their athletes competing in as many sports as possible to a standard that will do the athlete and the public credit. “The selectors have met all the sports involved and have come to various agreements,” Mr Garlick said. “The policies are understood by each sport and their athletes and it is important the public are also aware so mat they know who is in their team and why.”