SWIMMING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23046, 24 November 1936, Page 4

SWIMMING

AUSTRALIAN TEAM’S TOUR WELCOME TO VISITORS The Australian team—W. Fleming (the 110 and 220 yards champion freestyle swimmer of Australia) and A. O’Connor (the New South Wales high and low board diving champion) who, with the noted swimming authority, Mr Dudley Hellmrich, as their manager and coach, are touring the South Island under the auspices of the Otago Swimming Centre, arrived from Oamaru shortly after mid-day yesterday and later in the afternoon at Wain’s Hotel were accorded a welcome by the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) and representatives of local sporting bodies. OTAGO CENTRE’S GREETINGS

The president of the centre (Mr W. A. Jenkins) tendered a welcome to the visitors on behalf of that body, and said that they were worthy successors to R. Clark and H. Tickle, who had appeared in Dunedin two years ago. It was particularly oleasing, he said, to welcome Mr Hellmrich, who was the foremost coach in Australia, and to whose visit swimmers in Dunedin had looked forward for a long time. Already, while in Oamaru, he had given valuable service, not only in the Municipal Baths, but at the Waitaki Girls and Boys’ High Schools also, and there was no question that on his departure from Dunedin he would leave much behind him that was valuable. Visits such as these must help to create interest in swimming, and as every swimmer knew, the appearances in Otago of Clark and Tickle had been the means of a large number of new clubs linking no with the Otago Centre. The increase in interest, indeed, had been nothing short of phenomenal, as was indicated by the fact that whereas 10 years ago there were only three clubs affiliated to the centre, there were now 20. All this had largely been brought about by the fortunate circumstance that the centre had as its secretary one of the most efficient organisers in sport in the province—Mr E. C. Isaacs—-through whose energy and enthusiasm, the present tour and that of Clark and Tickle had been successfully undertaken. MAYOR’S REMARKS Extending a civic welcome to the team and Mr Hellmrich, the Mayor said that the people of Dunedin were great believers in swimming, which, they realised, was one of the most perfect forms of sport for developing every muscle of the body. They were looking forward to the time when they would have better baths in the city. In this respect it was possible that the visitors might be able to offer some valuable suggestions, and he hoped that when they came back to Dunedin the new baths would be a reality.—(Applause.) SPORTS BODIES’ WELCOME Messrs J. G. Barnes (Otago Athletic Centre), W. R. Sinclair (Otago Lawn Tennis Association), S. Glendining (Otago Boxing Association), J. L. MTndoe (New Zealand Surf Association), J. H. Hinton (Dunedin Bowling Centre), C. L. Finer (ptago Wrestling Association). F. Binnev (Otago Cricket Association), D. T. Woodfield (Otago Hockey Association), P. A. Mathieson (Royal Life Saving Society), F. E. L, Forrester (Otago Primary Schools’ Sports Association), R. O. Johnson. (Otago Rugby Football Union), W. Rowlands (North-East Harbour Boating Club) and H. M. Mackay (Australian Club of Otago) added a welcome on behalf of their respective bodies and congratulated the Otago Swimming Centre on its enterprise in organising the tour. The toast of the visitors was then drunk with musical honours. MR HELLMRICH’S REPLY

In reply, Mr Hellmrich thanked those present for their welcome, which he considered was the most unusual he had ever attended. So far he and his team had had a wonderful time, and even during the short time he had been in Otago he had seen remarkable signs of potential champions. He had been deeply impressed with the Waitaki Boys* and Girls’ High Schools, which, to him, were veritable “eye-openers.” Certainly, there was nothing like them in Australia, where all the great public schools were denominational. Mr Hellmrich went on to say he did not think that New Zealand, at the last Olympic Games, had fully appreciated the talent which was available. He personally had been very disappointed that P. E. Mathieson, a fine swimmer and a great sportsman had not been picked, as there was no doubt that he would have done well. As for Jarvis, he was one of the finest stylists he had ever seen, or wished to see, and as a sportsman he was superb. Unfortunately he had a bad crossing to Australia, and it seemed that he was obsessed before arrival with a fear that he might not do as well as he was expected to. These circumstances combined, had prevented him from giving of his best during the earlier part of his tour. “ I was the happiest man in the world,” Mr Hellmrich added, “ when he later vindicated himself so brilliantly by winning the Victorian 100 yards championship.” While he was in Dunedin, the speaker continued, he would show the local swimmers everything he could, but he also wanted to learn everything he could. Already he had seen some promising swimmers here, and among these, he would specially mention Miss Agnes Brown, of the Kiwi Club. If ever he had seen a potential champion she was one, and Miss Islay Purdie was also a wonderful girl who would probably develop into one of the greatest lady swimmers New Zealand had ever seen. Commenting on the Olympic Games, Mr Hellmrich deprecated any tendency to look on the winning of a contest as of paramount importance. He congratulated New Zealand on having such a wonderful sportsman and athlete as Lovelock, but he considered it was absurd to say that Australia had failed at the Olympic Games. Japan, with her teeming millions, had made sport more or less of a religion, but Australia and New Zealand took sport as sport. They were not subsidised, and until they were, and until the winning of a contest meant everything to them, they would never be pre-eminent. He thought that they were better as they were. “ You have some very fine swimmers here,” Mr Hellmrich concluded, “ and do not forget that your Walter Jarvis is still a great swimmer and a rival to be feared by anyone.” Messrs Fleming and O’Connor also spoke briefly and extended thanks for the welcome.

DEMONSTRATIONS AT BATHS In the evening Messrs Hellmrich, Fleming and O’Connor visited the Y.M.C.A. and Municipal Baths, where demonstrations and talks to swimmers and coaches were given.