THE EMPIRE GAMES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 300, 18 December 1937, Page 4

THE EMPIRE GAMES

BRITISH ROWING EIGHT SELECTION OF ATHLETES FINANCE WAS A BOGEY Sound experts regard the British eight for the Empire Games at Sydney as the best crew got together since the famous London Rowing Club eight that romped off with the Grand at Henley in 1930, writes a London correspondent. They average just under 13 stone, and every man pulls every ounce of his weight. There are no passengers and no lame ducks. If they do not win the Empire Games’ laurels they will give the crew who do something to boast about, he states.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of that great oarsman Jack Beresford and the keen patriotism of various employers, a first-class crew was made available. The grant of four months’ leave by the Army to J. N. Sturrock, captain of Leander and a subaltern in the R.E.’s, completes an eight which impresses even elderly pessmists. It includes two Thames, three London, two Leander and one Cambridge oarsman, with a London man as cox. The selected men are:—J. F. Burrough (bow), R. C. Harman, D. G. Kingsford, J. Turnbull, P. H. Jackson (captain), J. N. Sturrock, R. Hambridge, B. S. Beazley (stroke), T. Reeve (cox). Reserves; J. Offer, R. Offer.

It is claimed by some critics that it is not really representative, because none of the best university oarsmen is included. The boat race madv it impossible to ir.vite university men, but in any case it is uncertain whether they would have been good enough for inclusion in the crew, which has the heavy average weight of about 12.12, but every ounce will be well applied. At trials the crew went easily and showed splendid watermanship, the boat running as steadily as a rock. The English eight will have oars painted for the Games. This will put right an incongruity at the Olympic Regatta, when the eight, four, pair and double sculler all rowed in singlets bearing the Union Jack, but used the oars of their own clubs—Leander, London, Thames and Jesus. The eight will row in Australia as England, under the flag of St. George. Rowers will wear on their singlets the red rose which appears on England's Rugby jerseys. 7he blades are to be white with a red rib and a narrow red collar round the loom, and red at the back. Leave and Finance. Commenting on the athletic team which eventually was selected, and which sailed recently, the correspondent said the Australian authorities might be disappointed with British representatives Unsurmountable difficulties responsible for many of the chief athletes being absent from the team were the time required for the tour—comparatively few being able to obtain four months’ leave of absence from work—and finance. All invited to take part in the Games had to attempt to solve the out-of-pocket expenses for themsehev without assistance.

The old bogey of amateurism and what it means has arisen. In this country it is observed as strictly as ever.

South African athletes may receive three shillings a day to cover their out-of-pocket expenses; South African Rugby footballei; get the same amount, and the goiters as much as ten shillings. In the case of the footballers, they did not actually receive tthe money. They had to sign for the drinks they bought up to this amount. The golfers, on the other hand, had no entertainment expenses, as they wer > provided with a guest room, and with a cocktail bar, wherever they stayed, by the Royal and Ancient club. No English travelling party, however, is permitted to be treated in this way. The team of amateur Association footballers who recently toured Australia and New Zealand, did not receive a penny outside their actual tiavtlling and hotel costs. Some of them were as much as £2OO out of pocket. Those who were most economical in their personal needs had to find at least half this amount.

In the circumstances economic considerations have largely governed the selection of the team to go to Sydney. The amateur boxing team, for example, will consist of only five men. and they will not have the assistance of a manager. They will travel alone with one of their number, Corporal Wilby, of the Royal Air Force, acting as captain. Again, the bowls players .are to pay their own expenses from 'the moment they leave this country until they return.