SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 5, 7 January 1928, Page 18

SWIMMING

By " HEADEP '* TEPID POOL

NEED GREATLY FELT NEXT YEAR'S CHAMPIONSHIPS FIXTURES. 21st to 27th January—National Championships, Dunedin. 23rd January—Worser Bay Club Annual Carnival, Worser Bay. The remits sent forward by the local centre for discussion at the annual conference, which is to take place during the holding of the national championships in Dunedin, are not likely to_ engage a great deal of the delegates' time. The first reads: "That tho 1928-20 national championships be granted to the Wellington Centre," and if the usual rotation is followed in the allocation, the remit will go through without opposition. This will mean a big season next year, and it would certainly be a great advantage to the local controlling officials if their minds were easy as to a suitable locale. The water span at Te Aro has few equals anywhere in New Zealand, and is ideal for the contesting of important events, but unfortunately tho vantage points for spectators are not favourable, and it really seems as if a thorough effort should be niade to endeavour to press upon our city fathers the need for an up-to-date indoor pool, where classic championships could be staged. Many promises have been made, but never fulfilled, and it is surely not out of place to ask for a start to be immediately made with the erection of tepid baths, for which provision was made as long back as 1920. Subject for Teachers. The other remit to be discussed, deals with the recognition of swimming and life-saving as a subject for which members of the teaching profession may qualify. At the present ,time, while several teachers havo shown a great interest in the sport, their efforts in promoting the encouragement of the two arts arc not officially recognised. It is with the object of having swimming and life-saving made an optional subject ou tho syllabus of a teaching course that tho remit aims, and while there will no doubt be opposition to it, there should be at least an interesting discussion on the matter. Water Polo Rules. Several water polo players may find the rules a little difficult to interpret, and while they are not necessarily so, the followingjist of "Don'ts," if carefully noted and observed, will be found of great assistance in the correct playing of tho game. They are: — Don't tackle a player not in possession of the ball (a player when dribbling is not "iv possession"). Don't use two hands simultaneously in handling the ball, the only players allowed to do so being tho goalkeepers. Don't move after the referee has blown his whistle to signalise a breach of the rules. Don't punch the ball with clenched fist. Don't take the ball under water. If you commit any of the above breaches the referee will award a free throw to the opponent nearest to you. Don't take up a position within two yards of your opponents' goal line. Don't tackle a player not "i~ possession" who is within four yards of your own goal. Commission of the first breach means being "ordered out," and a free throw awarded against you. If you commit the second breach you will also be "ordered out" and your opponents awarded a penalty throw from a point anywhere on your own four-yards line, in which case no member of your own side can move out of place to stop tho shot. Lastly, raid most importantly, don't question the referee's ruling. This only results in placing your side in an unfavourable light, and you want all the air you can swallow to prevent the other ..chap from heaving the leather through your goal-posts. The Championship Trials. The team to represent the Wellington Centre at the forthcoming national championships will no doubt be selected early next week, and there are quite a few swimmers who have good prospects for inclusion. The trials being held this afternoon at Lower Hutt will probably give a good line as to the various prospects, but present indications jlo not point to a large number being „ • lied in the official team. Finance is the stumbling block, but the present raffle now under way should bring in quite a few pounds with the co-operation of supporters, and if this ia so, representation at Dunedin may be better than anticipated. There will probably be a good number of interclub competitors making the trip— that is if the Lyall Bay and Maranui Clubs send their life-saving teams to compete for the Nelson Shield, and it is believed that they will —so that the centre will be well represented in quantity if not in quality. ■ Of the cracks, W. Cameron is sure of selection. He is still in the intermediate grade, and at no stage of his career has shown sprinting ability on a par with his recent performances. He is not likely to lose either of his titles— in fact, he may gain more. Rix-Trott has been putting in some solid training during the holidays, and has only to reproduce his form of last season to be another competitor sure of selection. It would occasion no surprise if C. CJaridge is well in tho picture in this afternoon's trials, especially over tho sprint distance, while Pelham will be a sure test for any of them over tho quartermile. Climatic conditions have not been in his favour for distance training, but his form will not be very backward. It is stated, however, that he may not be able to secure tho necessary leave to go South, iv which case Rix-Trott and Claridge may be the choice. There aro no breaststroke swimmers or^lady competitors up to the standard required, but in the diving W. Hicks must be a possibility. It is true that he never reproduces his best in the national contest, but the hoodoo cannot last for ever. The standard of his display this afternoon will no doubt determine his chance of selection. Exhibition diving proves that he is a classy diver. In the grades other but senior, two possibilities are Palmer (intermediate) and Gellate (junior). The former cannot hope to equal W. Cameron's chances in the sprint events, but should make a good showing over tho distances. Gellate swims a good fifty yards, but the championship events in his class are decided over 100 yds and 220 yds, and ho will probably be asked to return good times over these distances before his chance of selection is assured. Summed up those with good prospects aro W. Cameron, Rix-Trott, and Hicks, with Claridge, Palmer, and Gellate as possibilities. The polo team will not be the strongest, but if practice is indulged in, the selection should bo ablo to get together a good combination from amongst the swimmers who will be going to Dunedin.