“N.Z. Athletes Must Have International Competition”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22759, 4 October 1948, Page 4

“N.Z. Athletes Must Have International Competition”

(P.A.) WELLINGTON. Oct. 4. “My impression is: ‘Well dene England.’ They did a very good job under very difficult circumstances,” said Mr. D. T. Woodfieid. manager of the New Zealand Olympic Games team which returned by the Tamaroa. “This was the consensus of opinion of all the nations competing.

“The New Zealand team competed well and while not gaining any first honours, they kept up the traditions of the Olympic ideal. I am quite satisfied that all have gained vital knowledge that must become useful in their respective avenues of sport. Reasons For Past Failures

' My general impression is that as an affiliated nation if we want to gain successes we must find out all the reasons why we have not been successful in the past. We will have to follow the United States methods. When they u discuver a good athlete in any sphere of sport they look after him. It takes a fairly long period to bring an athlete to international standard.”

The necessity for international competition if New Zealand was to'do herself justice in the Empire Games was stressed by all tha members of the team

interviewed. Competition with Australia was suggested by the captain, W. H. Nelson. Australia could help to raise New Zealand standards, he said, v “People say we need international training. Well, Australia is the nearest and we could help each other. We didn’t get to mixing with other teams, as we hoped we would.” Nelson advocated flying as the only siutable means of transport to th& Games. “We put months of training* into qualifying and when we get to England it is all wasted,” he said. *■ “Shipboard training was entirely insufficient.

Overseas athletes were very keen on attending the Empire Games in New Zealand.

More Serious Approach to Training “New Zealanders should take a mor® serious approach to training and put in more systematic work.” He suggested the pooling of coaches’ efforts as a remedy.

‘New Zealanders should do well. in the Empire Games if they get into it now and get some international competition,” said the weight-lifter, M. Crowe. He also suggested competition with Australia.

“New Zealand lifters ought to do >, very well in the Empire Games," he said. “We should get three titles— if we start training now.” Travel by boat was “out,” said the hurdler J. M. Holland. No matter how hard one trained on board, only limited action was possible and it was impossible to arrive Al. Holland had a plaster cast from D. M. Harris’ injured leg. He is taking it to Harris’ parents. Little plaster was visible through numerous autographs scrawled on it.

Those interviewed were definite that the uniform provided was very poor. Grey trousers were considered drab, and the white edging of the blazers was unsuitable. They considered that the Australians were particularly well turned out.