SUB-OFFICIALS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 17, 21 January 1938, Page 7

SUB-OFFICIALS

EJWWE GAMES VtUJWfc

poemoN of REm AMATEWRS

A report from Australia, referred, to in Wednesday's "Post," stated that sectional team managers and officials, such as, for instance, in the case of the New Zealand representatives, the manager of the swimmers or the wrestlers, would not be accommodated in the Empire Games Village at Sydney. Advice, although not official, that has come to hand since then indicates that this ruling does not relate to the sectional officials of visiting teams but to Australian State teams only. Were the sectional team managers and coaches Oi visiting teams not provided for at the Empire Games Village, it would place them and those in their charge at a distinct disadvantage and inconvenience.

Another report from Sydney appears to make it plain that reinstated amateurs will not be able to officiate as judges or hold official positions at the Games. If this is the position, Mr. T. W. Leslie, of Wellington, who has been nominated as a starter of athletic events at Sydney, will be ineligible. In any event, it is doubtful at this juncture whether Mr. Leslie intends going to Sydney. He told a "Post" reporter on Saturday night that he would not entertain the trip unless he was appointed by the Australian authorities and his expenses were paid. He is not travelling by the 'Vanganella tonight.

The report from Australia states that in Melbourne Mr. Evan Hunter, secretary of the British Empire Games Federation, explained that anyone who had previously oeen a professional performer could act as a team manager, but could not attend federation meetL.gs or officiate as a judge or hold official positions at the Games.

Mr. Leslie at one time was a walker in the professional ranks. Although it is true that he officiated as a starter at the Olympic Games at Los Angeles in 1932, the Empire Games rule regarding amateurism has been held in New Zealand to be stronger than the Olympic Games rule and to debar from competition absolutely anyone who has been a professional under any circumstances. In view of this a number of prominent New Zealand athletes were declared ineligible for consideration for the Empire Games.

W. B. Barnes, who was to have captained the Hutt Valley Cricket Association's representative team against the Horowhenua representatives at Bell Park, Lower Hutt, on Anniversary Day, has been transferred to Auckland. R. Dunn is now to captain the team, with L. Foley as vice-captain. J. Dunn fills the vacancy in the team and A. Lonergan has been selected as twelfth plan.