New Cycling Rule Affecting Status

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31005, 10 March 1966, Page 19

New Cycling Rule Affecting Status

(By Our Cycling Reporter! Several applications for reinstatement or declaration as amateurs are likely after the announcement last week that independents would no longer be recognised by the New Zealand Cycling Federation, Independents, who are a category of riders competing for cash but allowed to cycle against amateurs, have been prevalent on the Continent and in the United Kingdom. However, the International Cycling Union recently ruled that all cyclists in future shall be either amateurs or professionals. The president of the Can-

terbury Amateur Cycling Centre (Mr H. C. Poore) said yesterday that the centre expected applications for reinstatement or declaration — “reinstatement” applies when a cash rider has been an amateur, “declaration” when he has never been an amateur—and would give very favourable consideration to all applications.

The final decision on entry or re-entry to amateur ranks will rest with the N.Z.A.C.A. council, which must be three-

fourths in favour of an application for it to be successful. An applicant who has never been an amateur—that is, one who applies for a declaration —is usually given an immediate clearance. But a former amateur who wishes to return to the ranks may have a short qualifying period. An applicant who applies for amateur standing is immediately classed as a neutral and is ineligible to compete in either code until he receives the result of his

application. A clearance into the amateur code will be ■ binding on the individual for ■ a period of five years. i Sporting Accidents.—A. Syd- • ney hospital will build a £20.000 sports medical centre for v.ctims of sporting accidents. It • whH concentrate on intensive physiotherapy treatment to restore players to top fitness in ! the briefest possible time. Team Change.—Mrs E. Slel phan has withdrawn from the ( Auckland side to meet We’iingI ton in a Nun-neicy Casket ten u h 1 challenge match on Friday. Mrs I J. BignoH will replace her.