OPPORTUNITY MISSED?

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 146, 17 December 1937, Page 11

OPPORTUNITY MISSED?

EMPIRE ATHLETES

LOCAL CENTRE'S COACH

There is no disguising the fact that Mr. Alfred L. Fitch, the Wellington Amateur ' Athletic Centre's American coach, feels that the New Zealand A.A.A. Council, in deciding not to avail itself of the Wellington Centre's offer to release him so that he could accompany New Zealand's athletes to the British Empire Games at Sydney, is missing an excellent opportunity of enabling him to do something for the good of. the sport on a national basis.

Although Mr. Fitch has been engaged and brought to New Zealand by I the Wellington Centre, it is plain to those who have come in contact with him that he. is- desirious of being of assistance not only to Wellington athletes but also to athletes in the Dominion as a whole. He wants to do his. very best and is keen to accomplish something on a national basis. .. It was apparent from inquiries, made today ..that Mr. Fitch—although he fully realises that the matter is not one for him to decide—feels that hjs association. with the team selected for the Empire Games would be of value not only to the members of the iteajn but also through them to .thy .sport in this country generally. Moreover, it is gathered that Fitch holds the. view that some of those, who have been selected definitely want "bringing out" more to enable them to give of their very best, and there is no doubt that he would.be able to give valuable assistance in this direction.

Although the New Zealand authoritiesare- concentrating at the.moment on the Empire Games, Mr. Fitch, from what he has said from time to time, is looking^ somewhat further ahead, and. has in mind laying the ground work. at least of strong New. Zealand, reprgr sentation in the. athletic events at the Olympic Games "» 194°- -^ view- ot this it is not surprising therefore that he believes that, if at .all .possible, two .or three of the younger .brigade should be given the opportunity of competing, at Sydney. He considers that the experience would be very valuable io. them and also to .New Zealand in building up the track team for, the Olympic Games in 1940. ..If two .of the younger athletes were, sprinters New Zealand would then be able to field a sprint, relay team, and Mr. Fitch: has expressed the view that from the. talent he has seen it would be possible to turn out a,strong combination .that would do well. . ~'•■' ,'....

So. far. as this latter suggestion. is' concerne,d it was stated,today, that.tw.o young sprinters. propose making the trip to Sydney at their, own. expense, in which case their inclusion in the team on .this understanding would not cost the N.Z.A.A.A. or the Olympic and Empire Games Association anything.

As an-indication of Mr. Fitch's desire | to do something more than he is able to dp at the present time with the material at his disposal is the fact that he is endeavouring to interest members of the police and fire departments in' field events. He is hopeful of being able to get at least ten big men.from these two services, and there is.no doubt that the field.events section, of the sport, not only. -Jrorn a local but also, from a national^ standpoint, could, wfell do with theix. presence. ~ /...