AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18675, 3 October 1922, Page 7

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

QUESTION OF STATUS.

OTAGO MEN’S POSITION. AX AMERICAN TEAM. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 2. At a meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association at Wellington this evening the question of the amateur status of Otago men came up for consideration, when a letter from the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia and New Zealand, ad- . dressed from Sydney, stated that under section 2, clause e, of the union code. Messrs J. V. Hanna, A. P. Roydhouse, and J. P. Nforthey of Otago, were eligible to. hold office or to act as officials. It was considered that most of the nations would allow men in similar circumstances to retain their status. Regarding, Mr Mercer, it was admitted that he had acted as a professional trainer and rubber-down, and was clearly ineligible to act as an office-bearer or a sports official. The Otago Centre had written some weeks’ .ago slating that Mr Fanna was a vicepresident and held the position of physical director to the local Y.M.C.A. He was the backbone of the Y.M.C.A. Club. 'The main centre could hardly do without' Mr Roydhouse, who was director of physical training to the public schools of Otago, and not only came in touch with thousands of children but superintended the methods of teachers. Mr Northey, though not on the centre, was closely associated with another sport. He was in charge of the physical training of the Otago Boys’ High School. Mr Mercer, who was hon. handicapper to the centre, was in Government employ, but had at various times accepted payment when leaving his employment to massage and train atiiletes, notably in the case of the “Springbok” athletes and the “All Black footballers last year. The Chairman said they had to act carefully, as they might be establishing a precedent which would last for all time. Mr A. C. Kilto said they should guard against professionals getting into their list of officials. . . , Mr Dean: We want control in the nanus of' amateurs. As long as the control is right ihe sport is right. It was resolved to rule that Messrs Hannr, Roydhouse and Northov were eligible to act as officials on centres, but that Mr Mercer was ineligible. , The Otago; Wellington, Auckland, and Canterbury Centres wrote that they,,wore each willing to guarantee £IOO towards the tour of an American team, Otago making a provision that Paddock and Thompson Were included in the team, and Auckland stating that they would expect two Saturday afternoon appearances , The Chairman (Mr A. T. Davies) said £SO guarantees would probably be forthcoming from Gisborne. Wanganui, Wairarapa, Palmerston North, Ashburton, and Hamilton It would be necessary for the guarantees to be available before any definite undertaking was given. , The opinion was expressed that the American team should Include cipher Paddock cr Thompson, and both if possible. , . The Chairman added that the tour would-' cost £SOO on a low estimate. It was decided to write to the smaller centres, asking them to communicate with their clubs with a view to raising the "Tiarantees, and further action "as deferred pending receipt of a cable from America stating' whether a team is available. The Wellington Centre intimated its intention to claim as a New Zealand record the time established by D. Todd on Saturday, September 23, for 10 pules m 56mm ssec. •