Gymnastics School Of Great Value

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31080, 8 June 1966, Page 15

Gymnastics School Of Great Value

’J'HE Canterbury Gymnastic Association took a major step in its policy of advancing the standard of local gymnastics when it held its second regional training school during the Queen's Birthday week-end. A contributing factor towards the success of the school was the enthusiastic and untiring coaching provided by the two Auckland coaches, Messrs M. Gotz and G. Howard. Their great knowledge and intense interest in gymnastics pro-

vided a fund of information for both gymnasts and coaches. The services of local coaches were also appreciated and helped to spread the load of work. About 80 persons enrolled for the course—this figure included members from Dunedin, Timaru, Ashburton, and Christchurch gymnastic clubs. The course began at 9 a m. on Saturday. A lively warmup session was held, after which the groups went on

to technique training on the various pieces of apparatus. Although there was a considerable range of ability, the coaches patiently worked with each in turn. As the day progressed the gymnasts—some as young as 11 years of age—overcame their initial shyness and worked with increasing confidence and skill. The more experienced gymnasts were used to show correct methods and then were used to assist others.

The gymnasts were divided into ability groups for the training periods on Sunday, thus ensuring a continued improvement in performance at all levels. During the evening Mr Gotz showed films taken while on an overseas tour and these were used to demonstrate the finer points of competition work as seen at Olympic level.

Local coaches took opportunity to discuss points of difficulty and judges were able to seek further knowledge on the composition of compulsory and voluntary exercises.

Monday’s programme included individual coaching and correction of faults in prepared sets on the apparatus. The Canterbury Gymnastic Association will meet with the coaches and discussed the future training schools and ways of improving standards and the administration of the sport

The Saturday and Sunday meetings were at St. Andrew’s College where the new and spacious gymnasium provided excellent facilities for such a training school. The use of the Crichton Cobbers’ gymnasium also added to the success of the course. The C.G.A. is indebted to both of these groups for the use of their facilities and also to Teachers’ College for the use of some items of equipment.

The course greatly assisted those who are contemplating presenting themselves for trials to pick a Canterbury team to attend the South Island championships at Nelson on . July 16. The C.G.A. also hopes to send a large team to the national championships in Wellington in August.