VALUE OF COACHING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22389, 8 April 1936, Page 20

VALUE OF COACHING

AUCKLAND GRAMMAR'S TALENT Coaching from an early age is invaluable, as early-acquired bad habits in style and technique are the most difficult to eradicate. Without "exception, each of the six provincial champions mentioned previously made his debut by performing conspicuously in the intermediate grade, a junior division not then being included. With these facts in mind Saturday's results in the lower grades a.re by far the most satisfactory since the sports were inaugurated nine years ago. That Auckland Grammar possesses abundant material was shown in the intermediate grade in which, with seven first placings and four second placings in eight event#, this school was supreme. Numerous excellent performances in the lower sections were registered, but the efforts of eight boys were especially applauded. The outstanding intermediate was R. Collins, w"ho, by winning the 440 yds in the record time of 55 4-ss, the 880 yds in 2m 13 l-ss, tieing in the high jump with sft and gaining second place in the long jump, recorded a performance unequalled' in this section. His long-strid-ing style is ideally suited to the middle distances. By winning the 100 yds in lis and the 220 yds in 23 3-ss, P. G. Crichtori, Collins' team-mate, showed real ability. The manner in which he raced away from the field in the latter event was most spectacular, and general disappointment was expressed when a record was disallowed on account of a slight following wind. A pupil of Mount Albert Grammar, N. W. Thorn, gave good jumping exhibitions. This boy, who won two titles at his school sports with sft 13in and sft, gave neat displays on Saturday to finish first equal in the high jump with a leap of sft and first in the broad jump with an effort of 18ft Bin. These distances are not quito up to Thorn's best, but they show unusual promise. A brother to R. L. Jones, winner of the senior hurdles, B. A. .Tones, showed good form to win the 90,vds hurdles in 13 3-os, and finish first equal in the high jump. Jones 1 style, like- that of his brother, needs little perfecting.