AMATEUR WRESTLING

Evening Post, Issue 82, 6 April 1936, Page 16

AMATEUR WRESTLING

QUESTION OF CONTROL

REPLY TO -MR. WILLIS

-.The committee appointed at the meeting .of amateur wrestlers held on March 29 handed the following statement to "The Post":— "In your issue of March 31, Mr. J. D. Willis, chairman of the New Zealand Wrestling Union's management committee, made a reply to remarks passed at a recent meeting convened by amateur, wrestlers. In this reply Mr. Willis raised several points upon which we should like to comment, because, in our opinion, they are of interest and importance to amateur

wrestlers throughout the Dominion: —

"1. Mr. Willis states that amateur wrestlers are unappreciative of work done on their behalf.—Amateur wrestlers are unaware of any work done on their behalf by the union other than that which has been covered by admission charges to various halls.

"2. Mr. Willis states that large sums of money have been spent every year in the furtherance of amateur wrestling. ' The Wellington Association, he says, last year spent £273 on amateurs, and the Auckland Association £313 2s Id, while the other affiliated associations between them spent more than £1000.—Mr. Willis implies ,by this statement that a total of over £1500 was spent last year by his union in furthering the interests of amateurs. The amateurs have no knowledge of any such sums having been expended on their behalf, • but in any case they feel they are entitled to see a detailed balance-sheet. We, the undersigned, also desire here to ask Mr. Willis for a detailed statement showing what- has happened to the large sums received from the Broadcasting Board allegedly in the interests of amateur wrestling.

"3. Mr. Willis states that amateurs today seem to be attracted more by the trophies offered than by real ;love of wrestling.—This statement is simply ludicrous to those who know the intrinsic value of the trophies.

"4. Mr. Willis states that the union does not act as trainer to the boys.— Mr. Willis is quite correct in this remark, which also carries with it an admission that union officials never go near.the training gymnasiums, and also goes to prove that the union takes little .or no interest in the progress of: amateur wrestling.

! "5. Mr. Willis states that, in his opinion, neither Mr. Anton Koohnan nor Mr. George Walker is a capable judge of wrestlers eligible to compete successfully at the Olympic Games.—lf Mr. Willis had said that there are probably no better judges of the subject in the whole of New Zealand he would have been much nearer the truth. Further, we contend that it is not the right sporting spirit to delay sending amateur wrestlers to the Games' until they are certain of winning, since such an attitude would display exactly the trophy-hunting behaviour which Mr; Willis previously condemned.

"6. Mr. Willis states, in conclusion, that the meeting referred to was held by only a disgruntled section of amateurs, youthful and inexperienced.— On the contrary, the meeting was probably the largest, certainly it was the most representative meeting of amateur wrestlers ever held in New Zealand, and comprised the cream of amateur wrestling, including several New Zealand, champions. '■ •

"If Mr. Willis can dispute the correctness of any of the foregoing replies we shall be interested to hear from him.

"We wish to make it known that as it is our immediate intention to form

an Amateur Wrestlers' Union it is necessary that all matters pertaining to finance be cleared up without delay."

The statement is signed by Messrs. R. D. Godfrey, R. Sutherland, R. Allan, K. Pajo, C. Lowe, T. Anderson, J.. McNeilly, and R. Austin.