SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 71, 25 March 1933, Page 8

SWIMMING

by "Header" THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS

EXCELLENT MATERIAL

A SUCCESSFUL! CARNIVAL

judging on the standard of swimming displayed-at the Wellington Primary Schools' Association's carnival," it is more than evident that, given up-to-date facilities, young" swimmers of class could be developdyi. It is many years since a champion junior or intermediate competitor has been produced in these p.arts, and rit seems certain that many more ; seasons wiil pass before another appears. The carnival mentioned proved beyond .doubt that the material is here, and if the city. was in possession of tepid baths in keeping with its standing tho opportunity would be present for the suitable coaching and development of the young swimmer. Considering the adverse conditions under -which the, local officials have laboured, it is surprising that any results at all are. obtained, especially remembering the limited season that applies, but those interested probably live in the hope that some day their desire will become a fact. The Primary .Schools', Association, is keenly interested in their -work, and labour under greater difficulties in respect to facilities than most other organisations, but through energy and enthusiasm are doing wonders for the children In the way of making the best of the limited provisions at their. disposal. The policy of encouragement meets with a splendid response. When one considers that over 400 competitors took part, it is apparent that the- efforts of the association are meeting with success, and the officials are to be congratulated on their, splendid work. - The carnival itself -was a. triumph of organisation; the long programme being disposed of without a hitch. -The call stewards, in':particular, performed great service, and were largely responsible for the rapidness -with- which the events worei disposed of, there being no -waiting of any description. The secretary of the association, Mr. f Pinfold,. had all details worlying smoothly, and the cpmplimenT tary remarks on the' excellence-of the a'rangemehts was largely duo fo his eff forts. Altogether the;carnival was entirely successful, and the continued progress of the association is one that is deserving of the : highest praise, as well' as every encouragement. r:~ Water Polo Competition. V ? The water polo x'ompetition has now been brought to a close, resulting: in a win for- Lyall Bay, who went through the games without a Joss, a draw against Maranui in'the fifth round being their closest call. For many, seasons past, it has been difficult ito: bring the^competi-t-foh to a conclusion without several defaults and uncoritested games, but this season has been a distinct improverneht. More teams have- been entered than usual, and although some difficulty has been experienced by clubs in turning out their best teanis, nevertheless few games were defaulted. A pleasing feature is the number <5f new piayers, many of whom showed / more than a. passing knowledge of the ga,me; and the experience gained should result in better, play all round. The weather has helped considerably, .but it would-be an advantage if the competition .was started earlier. The second round of .play just com-: pleted, could not be'played as. between all teams, the three leaders playing off for the. banner, the. lower teams also' deciding the wooden spoon. Provided conditions are suitable f6r an early start, the playing of three rounds!would be: more than beneficial to the players, and would incidentally provide tho selector with ah opportunity of getting together a representative team comprised, of .the leading players, with! the necessary combination. Combination is an important factor ■'_ in the -'game, -and without it' no team cali get'far. Clubs and players would do well to - avail themselves , of. every opportunity of practising, with 'a,\ view ■to 'improving the standard of play, w,hieh is not yet. as high as it might be. However," the' material seems to "be coming forward, and a continuation of the competition along the lines of the past season shouldsoon see an improvement. .... , * Winter Coaching. r r " j : ,A" movement is-on foot to bring the well-known Sydney coach, Mr. Harry Hay, across to New Zealand-for the purposes of coaching during, the winter' months.-Preliminary arrangements have been entered into, "and i^ is-understood' that the .proposal is:fpi-,Mr. Hay to. visit various centres and towns and im-: part instruction either individually or to groups. Provided sufficient support is forthcoming the proposition will be finalised in ample time for whatever term is required. - As far as!loeal swimmers are concerned, there is no prospect of them participating "in" the proposal owing to lack -of facilities.-Without: a tepid pool, it would be useless toattempt anything in, the., nature of coaching during the months, and the position of the Capital City is again emphasised in the non-possession of this much-needed want. Harry Hay will be' well-rememberedby several of the older swimmers as being a performer of class: when he visited these.parts, together! with Tod Solomons and Sid'Eiddington, some years ago; at-the invitation of the then Old' Boys' Club. Since that, time; he has been actively engaged in coaching work, arid as evidence of his ability in this directidn, one has only to men-! ptibn-h'is success with "Boy'/Charlton, to whom he has been attached throughput his career. Many other leading performers of New South Wales have been under his charge, and the( results achieved speak for themselves. Notes v ■ Miss Shona Campbell had little diffiy C.ulty in winning the ladies' 100 yards! centre championship last Saturday; afternoon. The race was contested in' the x 25 yards bath at Mr. B. Sutherland 's residence, and:at;the first turn Miss Campbell was slightly ahead of the rest of the field, who were bunched. At the half-way mark; she had'increased her lead to two. yards from Miss Wright,, who was. closely followed by the remainder. Miss Campbell 'continued to add'to her! lead"'and eventually won in comfortable- fashion by five yards from Miss Wright, who wastwo yards in front of Miss Gotlieb. The' winner swam an even race and it looked as if she could have improved on her time.' Miss Wrightswam. her best race this season, while -Miss Gotlieb showed that she had improved considerably on last season's performances. ' After holding the Swimmers' Memorial trophy for many years, Lyall Bay's colours wero lowered by Maranui in the contest this year. The test is mainly based on time, and new talent in'the latter's team enabled them to' score a good win. The success should be pleasing to J. Alexander, who has' represented Maranui for several years without much luck.