Y.W.C.A. SWIMMING

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1935, Page 12

Y.W.C.A. SWIMMING

CLUB’S VIGOROUS .CANVASS SECOND CLUB MOOTED (By “Free Style.”) - A good deal of behind-the-scene activity went on in women’s swimming circles at New Plymouth last month, The Y.W.C.A. officers have launched out on an ambitious scheme to improve and enlarge their club, and another group of ' enthusiasts is contemplating the formation of a New Plymouth club. Though this new club is' still in the air and its promoters less advanced in their campaign than the Y.W.C.A., a meeting has been called for next Tuesday and it will doubtless give a good indication of what the club is likely to achieve this season.

The Y.W.C.A. has had its .weekly club night on Wednesdays for some years, and this settled arrangement gives it an initial advantage over the proposed New Plymouth club, which is at present homeless so far as a special night is concerned. Moreover, the Y.W.C.A. has been engaged on a vigorous and successful canvass for m\ mbership. The numbers of swimmers, both experienced and novice, who have promised to join and are keen to do so is already encouraging, but they are likely to be considerably increased. Those who wish can join the swimming club at very small subscription and are under no obligation to participate in any other activities of the association.

With its prospective membership of both senior and junior swimmers so high, the Y.W.C.A. should make a good start early in the season, with an interesting programme. It is in possession of several trophies which were contested in the old days but of which no one has recently been found worthy. Now they have been taken down from some neglected corner, furbished brightly? 1 ’and placed in a prominent position where they can act as templin o bait to any interested in competitive swimming.Therc

is the Lobb Shield, a trophy in the form of a wooden lifebelt, the Dalgleish Cup, the Proficiency Cup, for lifesaving, and the Keith Smith Cup and the Blair Cup for junior and intermediate swimmers.

Formerly these trophies were awarded more to those proficient in life-saving than to those proficient in swimming. The conditions of entry and qualification need drastic alteration if they are to be attractive to the rank and file, who are apt to find undiluted life-saving a little tedious. For this purpose the Y.W.C.A. club has enlisted the services of a particularly 1 strong advisory committee consisting of Dr. E. A. Walker, Messrs. A. H. Blennerhassett, J. Devine, W. Toomey, and H. S. Weston. These men, all. experienced in club management, will also give on organisation of-activities and selection of coaches. Their presence should ensure that the club is run on the right lines and that its policy is I progressive.