N.Z. BEHIND IN SPORT

Chronicle (Levin), 5 October 1948, Page 6

N.Z. BEHIND IN SPORT

Press Association)

Lessons Olympic Team Has Leamed

(Per

WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. New Zealand was very inucli beliind otlier eountries in sport. It niight be a long and expensive process trying to get somewhere but it was up to all sports orgaiusations and tlie Government to see if something eould be done to bridge the gap. This observation was made by Mr. D. T. Woodlield, manager of the New Zealand Olympic Games team, wlien replying to a welcome home extended in Parliament Buildings todav. Tlie Aeting-Prime s Minister, Mr. Nash, presided. Associated with him in the welcome were the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, Mr. T. L. Macdonald, representing tlve Leader of the Opposition, and Mr. A. D. Baylield, ehairman of the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association. Mr. Nash tlianked the team for its record of sportsmanship and natural courtesy which made it worthy representatives of this country. No one wished to make any apologies for the lack of success but he did tliink the cyclist Barter had been most hnfortun ate in meeting with so man-y punctures, whilej the injury to Harris was a great tragedy. "We did get a great thrilJ in this country at the good displays given by Miss Ngaire Lane and also at the haka given by the team to help hei on her way, " he said. Mr. Nash expressed pride in t.he team 's haka which lie felt would do as mueh as anything else to keep New Zealand 's name onthe map. Mr. Nash congratulated Miss Lane on winuing a British title anu also the weiglit lifter Crowe on linishing seeoud in the bantamweight class in the British championshi])s. Mr. Parry said'it, was obvious New Zealand had great progress to make,. partieularly in coaching, training and in a knowledge of the nervous reactions of atliletes. The experience gained by the team would be of immense value. The Government was deeply interested in liehlthy sport and .all that would help to raise the staudard. Dospite the lack of success, Mr. Mucdonald said he was sure members oi tlie team liad gained a wonderful experience which they would put back into tlie sport. Mr. Baylield expressed thanks to tlu* Government for its interest in sport. Wliile tlicy had all been hopeful of some successes wheii tlie team left, it had been evideiit that they were up against wonderful opposition. Refereiicc had been made to tlie need l'or specialisatiou. That point was weli' approciated. A suggestion had also been made that the team sliould have been flown to tlie' Games. That aspect

liad been given ovei v consideration but the cost would have been about £10,000 Jvhicli was realty out of the question. ks it was the cost of the tour would be about £4000. He hoped that liv the! tinie tlie next Games came round, the cost of flyitig would be inucli clieaper. Mr. Baylield quoted from a lctter which had just reached him from Dr. l'orritt, the association 's representa tivc in Lyndon: "Olympic competition is considerabiy hotter tlian anything1 (dse in tlie world. It is very hani for' sinai ler and distant eountries to appre-! ciate (juile the intensity of competV tion. By and large tlie team did not do: at all Inidly and 1 ani sure thev gained. nn enormous amount of experience. The injury to Ilarris, of course, was a. tragedy. I sincerely hope it wiil not' afl'ect ' his undoubted great athletic ability. " . Keplying, Mr. Woodlield said tlie orgauisation for the Games had been oi a partieularly high standard. The Neu Zealaud team liad not gained any victories but New Zealand liad gained a victory in being awarded the British Empire Games in 1950. He was proiui to say that higli tributes had been paid to the manner in which this country had presented its case. Elaborating his comment on the standard of athletics in this country, Mr. Woodlield quoted the case oi Ceylon which had paid a traincr and tnasseur for a team of similar size toNew Zealand 's. The Governinent had borne the cost. The Government of India had also bome practically the whole of the cost of its team. If New

Zealand ho'ped- to'get anywhere it was up to the Government and people to do the best possible. \.s,Mr. Woodfield expressed agreement ou tlie need for liyTng tlie team to its (leHtination. Mr. Nash iiitel'jechid that the Government would be. right beliind anv nuive to see that tlie team representing New Zealaaid roceivCd the best treatrrtenf. »: • Mr. Parry remarked that no representations liad been made to the Government fo.r assistance. Mr. N'asli said it was all to tlie good if sport could pay its way, if not it would be wrong if the Government did not help. "I would say, concerning the British Empire Gam. s, go aliead. If you eannot lind all che money, coiue and see us. ' ' M r. Baylield said it was hoped that the assistance of the Government would not be needed aml that the Games would be a linaucial success, Nevertlieless, it was gratifying to know that tlie Government was behind the Games. The captain of the team, W. II. Nelson, said the name of New Zealand stood very high at Ilome. Ile paid speeial tribute to Mrs. Ingraiu, eliaperone, vvho liad been a wonderful mothei to all members oi' the team. Mr. Nelson made a plea for wholehearted public support for atliieties. Members of the team would carry on, giving back what they had learned. There was a big task ahead but mueh could be accomplished if the nation set its will to the task.