Swimming influx

Press, 7 April 1979, Page 12

Swimming influx

The Victorian and Queensland ■ teams might have paved the way for an influx of Australian state teams to the New Zealand swimming championships by competing at Queen Elizabeth II Park last month. The convener of the New Zealand Selection panel, Mr Ron Shakespeare, was manager of the national team that competed in the Australian championships in Perth in February. While there he discussed with officials from all states the possibility of teams swimming

in both the New Zealand open and age-group championships. All states were interested in the proposal, said Mr Shakespeare, especially West Australia and New South Wales, both of which are keen to enter the open carnival next year. If the Victorian and Queensland teams return, and they are keen to, competition will be extremely tough. But a restriction might have to be imposed on the number of foreign entries. New Zealand will continue with the policy of allowing only two foreign swimmers in each final and consolation final, giving foreign entries a competition within a competition. They have to swim a fast enough time in the heats to qualify as foreigners. A Japanese team was also in Perth and Mr Shakespeare discussed with its officials the prospects of Japanese teams coming to New Zealand. After years of struggling to attract overseas swimmers to its championships, the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association could now be on the verge of a flood of entries which it will have have to screen.