ATHLETIC NOMINEES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 60, 8 September 1937, Page 5

ATHLETIC NOMINEES

BASIS OF SELECTION

MOTION TO REVIEW

The basis of nomination of athletes for inclusion in New Zealand's British Empire Games team, a question which is an important one to prospective candidates, was raised afresh at last night's meeting of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association by the secretary, Mr. H. McCormick. It was contended by Mr. McCormick and others that the present position was not entirely satisfactory, and as a result of the discussion Mr. F. S. Hill gave, notice of his intention to move at the-next meeting that the previous resolutions be rescinded and the 'whole question be reopened. In the meantime the council's administration committee is to confer with the New Zealand Olympic Association on the question of dates. I

"Frankly," said the secretary, "I am not very happy about the position we are in at the present time. He explained that the entries closed in Australia on December 31, although there was a provision enabling alterations and amendments to be made until January 22. It was obvious that this provision was intended only for the purpose of making alterations and amendments and not for the purpose of sending the names of the whole team by that date. Moreover, the New Zealand Olympic Association had been advised by the Australian authorities that they could not officially extend the date for the closing of entries beyond December 31., They would be prepared to extend a certain amount of latitude to New Zealand, but to grant a special dispensation would place them in the position of having to make similar concessions to ' oth?r countries. Mr. McCormick said he thought that was a reasonable attitude to adopt. The New Zealand Olympic Association had fixed December 17 as the date by which nominations from the New Zealand national associations are to be received by the association. The matter had been discussed by the New, Zealand A.A.A. council some months ago and there was a conflict of opinion as to what should be done in the selection of the athletes. The council had decided not to hold a series of trials, but had suggested that the centres hold trial meetings prior to the New Zealand championship meeting on January 14 and 15. If the whole of the athletic nominations were ■ left until January 22 he did not think it would be quite fair to some of the other national associations or to the Olympic Association. A DEFINITE DUTY. The chairman (Mr; H. I. Austad) said that, although certain decisions had been reached previously, he was quite prepared to admit discussion on the subject. He thought the association had a real duty to the Olympic Association in, advising it by December 31 definitely of the maximum number of the association's teams. That could be arrived at on a report from the two selectors on the form shown in the previous season and to date in the new season. When finally the selection was made, if there were more than the number submitted earlier, the coun-. cil would have to consider sending the additional nominees at its own expense. Mr. A. W. O. Travers: If we determine here that the names must be submitted by December 31, don't you think it would put the athletes ■on their mettle and the centres, would have the trial meetings? Mr. Austad said.his personal view was that the championships should have been held in December, and he still held to that view. He thought that by December 31 the council should advise the Olympic Association what the maximum strength of its team would be. , Mr. F. S. Hill referred to the recommendations made by a sub-committee to hold a series of trials culminating in a national trial, leaving the national championship meeting to be held at about the usual time. If the New Zealand championships were held in December or early in January, his view was that there would not be much interest after that, and there would be a poor finish to the season. Mr. Austad said that there need be no misapprehension as to the basis of selection, a matter which seemed to be worrying many. As things stood at present the selectors would act on the trial or (scratch meetings the centres had been asked to conduct prior to the national championships, and the form shown at the championships would, be the guide for making additions or alterations. Whether it was desirable to alter this basis of nomination would be determined ' when the matter came up for review at the next meeting.