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Motion shots of the 1948-49 National Athletic Championships taken by the Branch were also converted into loops and used at the Coaches School for pointing out common faults in technique. The Branch also holds sets on indoor basketball and association football, which receive much use during the winter season. A further progressive step during the year was the purchase of five film-projectors, -one of which is held at Head Office and four distributed among the main centres. The Value of such visual aids in the promotion of all types of recreation cannot be overemphasized and is supported by reports from similar organizations in Great Britain, the United States of America, and Canada, as well as from our own districts. Information bulletins on a number of major sports played throughout the country have been published and are in great demand. The bulletins are made available through Ihe various district officers to newly-formed clubs, coaches, and other instructors. Arrangements are in hand for the cataloguing and filing of the large number of photographs on all forms of recreation held by the Branch. When this is completed, displays will be made available through the districts for publicity purposes in connection with any campaign being conducted. The first series of photographs and sketches of athletes in competitive action has been completed and was used with noteworthy success at the Athletic Coaches School. As it was not possible to again obtain the services of the artist who originally drew for the scheme, the production of further series has been unavoidably delayed, but it is hoped that this work will be continued during the coming year. Staff Training At the end of 1949, 5 junior women officers completed a two years' training course and were posted to districts as qualified officers. Early in 1950, a further 10 women trainees were appointed and will undergo a similar course, covering all aspects of Physical Welfare work. In addition to this scheme, young or relatively inexperienced officers are placed under direct supervision in the larger district offices and undergo systematic training in a practical way. During the year a number of Branch officers underwent a " Training Within Industry " Course conducted in Wellington by the Labour and Employment Department. It was evident from this course that the methods demonstrated were definitely applicable to Physical Welfare work, and a ten hours' T.W.I. Course was held at the annual conference for all officers. Physical Welfare Officers Conference A combined conference of all Physical Welfare Officers was held at the City Mission Camp, Otaki, in December, 1949. This conference was the first to be held since 1947, and therefore presented an opportunity for evaluating work done over the past two years. The programme consisted mainly of lectures and discussions, and the opportunity was takeh to acquaint officers with the work being done in similar directions by other Departments. The plans for the 1950 work were considered comprehensively, and a set programme was laid down for each district. It was decided that the main objectives on a national basis would be the popularizing of indoor bowls and volleyball, and the conducting of " learn to swim safely " campaigns and recreation leadership courses. A new departure was the decision of conference to hold regional courses to adopt uniform methods of implementing this programme. As a result, three courses —each of two weeks duration—were held at Dunedin, Palmerston North, and Auckland, respectively, during March and April.

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