ATHLETICS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 105, 28 January 1938, Page 15

ATHLETICS

Prospects Of Empire Games Team NEED FOR A COACH Records That Will Be Attacked

(By

Spike.)

With the usual difficulties of selection finally if not altogether satisfactorily resolved, the New Zealand team for the Empire Games has assumed its responsible task of upholding the country’s reputation for good sportsmanship, win or lose. The athletics team, numbering 18, is-the largest ever to leave New Zealand, and in some departments has unusual strength. When the members left »v ellington they were full of enthusiasm not merely for the trip but for the chance of competing with some of the world’s greatest athletes. In some events it must be admitted New Zealand has little chance of success. Nevertheless it was right that the Dominion should be represented as well as possible, and that every athlete worth considering should go, partly to gain the invaluable experience: of competition in lirst-class company and partly as a tribute to the keenness and hard work involved in reaching first place among New Zealand athletes. Finally there is always the possibility of surprise performances by athletes in the pink of fitness, competing in world class under the best conditions, and keyed to the highest pitch. Value of Coach's Work.

When they were given a work-out on the Basin Reserve by Mr. A. L. Fitch, the Wellington centre’s coach, members of the team expressed regret that Mr. Fiteh had not been able to have a longer spell with them. The exercises, for one thing, were new to them, and more than one bore witness to the discover}’ of stiffness previously unsuspected. But most of the defects were in method and style, and when they saw his slow-motion film of famous men in action these defects became more apparent to them. It was the eve of their departure, and nothing could be done about it. But if they could have been together, as the rowers were, even for only a week, it is probable they could have set to work to improve their methods. Especially in the field events would results have been apparent. The track men have not to master such difficult points of style, and there is not the same need for actual illustration of these points. For a hurdler or a javelin, discus or hammer thrower the best lesson is to have at hand someone who can give practical demonstration of the methods which add feet to the distance or take seconds off the time. Lay is a natural javelin thrower, but his action is untutored in comparison with that of the world's best throwers. Morgan, the discus thrower, nlrcadv owes much to Fitch. The Casft of Miss -Munro. The Auckland broad jumper, Miss Edna Munro, is generally accouhted most unfortunate in missing the trip to Sydney. She has again broken her own New Zealand record of 17ft. 11 Jin., which is a quarter of an inch better than the Empire Games record set by Miss P. Bartholomew, England, in 1934. If Miss Munro did not again reach the 18ft. pin. mark she wouid still have had a good chance for the title.

Selection of the team was a far more complicated business than was generally realised, but the one definite mistake was to prefer Miss Straehan to Miss Munro. Her sprinting, which appeared to be the deciding factor, is nowhere near Empire Games class. However, there was no excuse for the methods used by the Auckland centre in an effort to secure Miss Munro’s last-minute inclusion. It is fortunate, too, that she was not permitted to go as an individual, for her position then in relation to the New Zealand team in Sydney would have been an awkward one in many respects.

Exclusion of Hughes. The exclusion of the Auckland cyclist, E. L. G. Hughes, after he had been provisionally selected was mainly the result of a misunderstanding. Though the cycling association made it clear to the Empire Games Council that the first selection was subject to revision, the cyclists themselves were apparently not officially advised of this, the association explaining that “it was understood among the members of the team.” Probably if there had been more time before the departure Hughes would have made the trip. As it wag there were two members of the cycling council out of six in favour of adding him to the team. Empire Gaines Records.

With athletes in such numbers and of such quality competing at Sydney, it looks as though some of the Empire Games records will go _by the board. Three of the holders will be there again next month. They /ire 8. A. Lay, New Zealand, whose javelin record of 207 ft. liin. was made in Canada in 1930; J. P. Metcalfe, Australia, with a hop, step and jump record of 51ft. 3Mn., made in’England in 1934; and E. T. Thacker, South Africa, whose high-jump record of 6ft. 3in. was also made in 1934. Lay, who has been reaching 196 ft. without trouble this season, is well favoured for the Sydney Games. Thacker, South African champion for many years, Is credifelT with Bft- 5 5-Bin., and the Australian championship was won recently by D. F. Shetliffe with 6ft. 4 5-Bin. The Englishman J. L. Newman has done 6ft. 2in. In the hop, step, and jump, Metcalfe won the Australian title with 48ft. 6jin., B. C. Dickensen falling short of this by only three-quarters of an inch. The third jump was also more than 48 feet, so that Australia has a good chance of success in this event. B. Shillington, Northern Ireland, has cleared 47ft. sJin.

Sprint Challenger. C. B. Holmes, the erack English sprinter, is expected to attack the 100 yards record made by the famous Canadian. Williams, in 1930, of 9.95ec., and the 220 yards record of 21.8 sec. made by S. E. Englehart in the same year. Holmes was credited last Maj’ with 9.7 for the 100 and 21.7 for the furlong. Other sprinters in the English team are the Dunean twins. Kenneth John nnd Kenneth Sandilands. Canada has great hopes for S. Nielsen, who clocked 9.6 sec. during the Canadian trials. The same country may take the women’s sprint with the coloured girl. Barbara Howard.

The New Zeitlander V. P. Boot was told by Mr. A. L. Fitch that he should run the half-mile at Sydney in 1.51. The record of T. Hampson, England, made in 1930, is Imin. 52.45ec. Pullar will have to better 4min. 12 4-5 sec. to beat Jack Lovelock’s mile record. Matthews could beat the three-mile record of 14min. 27sec. any day of the week, but will probably be opposed by the English crack, P, Ward. This contest should be on a par with the one expected in the quarter-mile, with W. Roberts, holder of the English record, John Loring, Ca-Xda, and Denis Shore, South Africa. Lord Burghley’s quarter-mile hurdles record, 54 2-ssec. looks shaky since P. Magee cracked the Australian record recently with 53.55ec. Inches behind him was J. Park, Victoria, who will also be seen in action at the Games. The re* cord, 53.9, was made by the famous G. A. Golding in 1932. A. T. Anderson’s New Zealand record is 55sec. Promising Nelson Athlete. Mr. Fitch'is favourably impressed with N. Manssen, the Nelson pole-vaulter, whom he considers one of the best athletes in the country. After watching a slow-motion film, Manssen immediately added six Indies to his performance, and narrowly missed clearing 12ft. Gin. Mr. Fitch also intends to bring him out as a broad jumper. Fixtures.

Encouraged by the attendance at the Basin Reserve for the Wanganui-Welling-ton club meeting under electric light, the Wellington club intends to hold further night meetings this season. The first will be on February 5. The second Dewar Shield meeting was first set down for this date, biit Petone have secured the fixture for February 19 on their grounds. The first Dewar Shield meeting will take place at Hataitai to-morrow. There will be 11 senior events and two junior events and four handicaps. February 5 and 12 will be devoted to* scratch meetings, and the provincial championships are fixed for February 2t>,