WHY AMERICA LEADS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2038, 1 February 1922, Page 7

WHY AMERICA LEADS.

ANNETTE KELIjEKSJAN ON SPORT.

‘ENCOURAGE YOUR OWN.”

Miss Annette Kellerman was the guest of the Palmerston North Citizens’ Lunch Club yesterday, when she gave an entertaining address on various branches of sport. Sir G. G. Priest presided over an exceptionally large attendance. In according Miss Kellerman a hearty welcome, Mr Priest said this was the first occasion on which the club had been honoured by being addressed by a lady. A large number of New Zealanders had watched with interest the career of this clever Australian ever since she sailed for America. All owed her a great debt of gratitude for the keen interest she had taken in swimming. Miss Kellerman had not only given much assistance to clubs, but also to the schools. Undoubtedly, her visit to this country would give a decided fillip to swimming—a sport of great physical and educational value. Miss Kellerman, who was greeted with enthusiastic applause, confessed being a “wee bit” embarrassed in the presence of so many of the opposite sex. Were It a meeting of ladies, she would probably deal with it with success. Why was it that America to-day led the world in general athletics and sports, and would probably continue to do so for the next four or five years to come? Because, said Miss Kellerman, America looked after and encouraged her own; watched out for promising athletes and coached them, and, above all, always strived to create new champions. Did the Britishers—Australians and all under the Union Jack—do that? She was sorry to say they did not. In the different branches of sport there were the respective champions, and on their shoulders rested the responsibility of maintains the positions of the various countries on the ladder of fame. The champions were left alone to fight the battles, and no attempt was made to assist them by way of bringing in fresh blood. No effort appeared to be made to create champions to beat champions, as was the one big aim in America. Until this was done, by the same method as the Americans employed—every facility and plenty of coaches —we could not hope to aspire to the top position. Of course, when the war was on the Americans made hay while the sun shone, but there was no earthly reason why we should not attempt to make up the lost ground. Twelve years ago the Americans were frightfully lacking in sport. Their swimming, in particular, was atrocious. One reason was, so far as the women were concerned, that they went out to the watering-places dolled up in all manner of unnecessary apparel. They only required goloshes and umbrellas, in order to be prepared for the worst of weather. When Miss Kellerman appeared in a bathing costume, as we know it, she was arrested for being indecently dressed. Very soon, however, the Americans started to train their swimmers in a systematic way. Nowadays every city had a swimming-pool, and a couple of coaches —one for women and one for men. Every club over there aimed at getting a champion, and every club thought its own was the best. Such a spirit brought them success. . Tennis, too, had made remarkable progress, and, unlike the Australians, the good players were always willing to "give the learners a go,” so that improvement could be effected. In Australia first grade players played with first grade players. “Humpty Dumpties” had to amuse themselves. If the Americans saw amongst their own a player that showed promise, they were all eagerness to { encourage him. It was national supremacy first and the individual second. Referring again to swimming, Miss Kellerman said Australia had a bad habit of disparaging her own. Anybody that came from another part of the world must be right, according to them. That spirit did sport the greatest harm. Miss Kellerman had nothing but praise for Misses Bleibtrey, Shand, Fanny Uurack, and Hoeft. Fanny Durack, she said, was the finest swimmer alive, from 50 yards (o a mile. She hoped that the New Zealanders, Misses Shand and Hoeft, would go to Australia and show their worth. At the instance of Mr D. Morrison,e At the instance of Mr D. Morrison, a hearty vote of thanks was accorddeveloping into lusty cheers.

BIBLE CLASS ATHLETICS. CUBA STREET WINS BANNER. The final events in the athletic competition between teams from the classes in the Manawatu Methodist Bible Class Sub-union were run off on Sataurday at the High School grounds and baths. They consisted of swimming and hurdle events, and as a result the Cuba Street classes secured the banner by the narrow margin of half a point from Feilding, the totals being Cuba Street 77, Feilding 76J. A. E. Everiss (Feilding) Avon the senior cup Avith 30 points, C. Belfit (Feilding) being the runner-up Avith 25 points. The junior cup Avas Avon by A. Hamilton (Cuba Street) Avith 141 points. R. Kells (Cuba St.) being second Avith 14 points and E. Budden (Cuba St.) third Avith 13J points. Kells secured the highest aggregate of points (27), but as some were in senior events they could not count for the junior cup. Following are the detailed results: — SENIOR, 100 yards: R. Kells (C.) 1, A. H. Voyce (F.) 2, R. H. Boys (B.) 3. 25 yards: R. Kells (C.) 1, A. H. Voyce (F.) 2, R. H, Boys (B.) 3. Neat dive: C. Merson (C.) 1, R. Kell® 'C.) 2, L. Pacey (B.) 3. JUNIOR, 75 yards: R. Kells (C.) 1, J. Robb (C.) 2, A. Hamilton (C.) 3. Beginners’ race: ’No starters. HURDLES. Senior; A. E. Everiss (F.) 1, E. Budden (C.) 2, F. Budden (C.) 3. Junior: E. Budden (C.) 1, R. Kells (C.) 2, B. Pedgler (C.) 3.