ATHLETIC TEAM FOR OLYMPIC GAMES

Southland Times, Issue 23737, 8 February 1939, Page 13

ATHLETIC TEAM FOR OLYMPIC GAMES

DOMINION COMPETITORS TO ARRIVE EARLY

(United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 7. A suggestion that the New Zealand athletics team for the Olympic Games should arrive in England three months before the games was adopted by the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association at its monthly meeting tonight. The council received the opinion, in accordance with a resolution of a previous meeting, from the American coach, A. L. Fitch, who stated that the only course, if good performances were desired, would be to send the team several months before the date of the games so that weekly competition could be secured in England. He suggested that the team leave about April 1. If the council was unable to send the team | at such an - early date he could assure it that the money spent on the trip would be wasted.

The council decided to purchase an anemometer, to be made available at its discretion, to centres. A proposal designed by Mr J. A. Gasson to assist clubs doing the best work for the sport, was referred to a sub-committee after the principle was approved. The scheme provided for the council to make an annual grant of £lO to the club fielding the best track and field team during the season. The average club standards were provided as a basis for the points to be scored by competitors.