GETTING UNDER WAY

Evening Star, Issue 23690, 25 September 1940, Page 6

GETTING UNDER WAY

EARLY SEASON SWIMMING ACTIVITY [l!y Hookuu.] Gain to Wellington. Johnny Neville, twice winner of the New Zealand Universities 100, yards free stylo title, is now domiciled, in Wellington, but it may bo sonic lime before ho is ready to take up competitive activities again. Recently he underwent an operation for appendicitis but has made a good recovery. Neville bordered on the even minute for the 100 yards in his last season at Otago Varsity but is equally useful over all distances from 100 yards to the mile. It was while representing Taranaki in the National championships five years ago at Auckland that he created, a line impression by his swimming in the mile in which ho Idled third place in the final, but in more recent years he Ims devoted himself to the shorter distances. If Neville elects to enter competitive ranks seriously in Wellington he should be a real asset to the sport there. Need for Public Support.

Many swimming enthusiasts would be, impressed by the remarks of Mr H. A. Newall, at a complimentary function tendered to him following the annual meeting of the Kiwi Amateur Swimming Club last week. Mr Newall stressed the fact that it was the duty of citizens to do what they could to assist a swimuyng club. When he thought of the hours of work put in by the committee in the instruction of children to assist their physical development and to help them to become good citizens he considered every possible cooperation should be given. Mr Newall has touched upon a point which has presented a problem to the centre and affiliated clubs—that of enlisting the utmost support from parents and citizens in general. There is no doubt that the swimming clubs of Otago and of New Zealand as a whole for that matter are carrying out a valuable community work in .the instructional side of their activities, and carnivals and such like are the only direct means they have of providing tho sinews of w r ar. Yet, in spite of the presence of many of New Zealand’s best performers, of novelties of various kinds, and of programmes as widely diversified and interesting as possible the support is nowhere near tho proportions it should bo. It parents of children belonging to clubs and their friends would realise that they have a part to play in the swimming scheme the way would be made easier for clubs to still further widen the scope of the work, they are engaged in.

Club Competitions Beginning. An early start is being made by the Kiwi Club with its handicap series in swimming and diving, the first of these competitions being listed to be held next Tuesday night. The fact that many junior and intermediate swimmers have been training since the baths reopened is indication of some very keen competition.

Activity in Auckland. In a letter received by the writer from Mrs A. Rapcr (formerly Miss Maimie Boulton) news is contained of early swimming activity in Auckland. Misses Mona Leyden and Nancy Ludlow are occasionally in the water, and Miss Norma Griffin (the most promising lady swimmer Auckland has had for a long time) is back at work. Mr D. B. Anderson has an excellent team working at present. Mrs Paper will again have charge of the training operations of the ex-national champion, Miss Kath Grey, and several others, including those promising intermediates, Misses Betty and Thelma Owens.

Intermediate Champion Prepares. Last season was Colin Sell’s first in intermediate ranks, but he impressed as one of New Zealand’s up-and-coming youngsters, with a second and a third in the Dominion championship meeting held here in January. He has been coached throughout |}y Mr Arthur Thomas, and already this year is showing indications that improved time may be expected from him before the season is long under way. Sell is also pulling his weight as one of the club’s coaches, and the progress made by a number of the juniors in his charge is testimony to the success of his efforts.

Promising Varsity Swimmer. More than the usual amount of early season keenness is being shown by several members of the University Club, and a free style exponent who promises considerable advance this year is Miss M. Ongley, a sister of p, A. Ongley, the Pirates and Otago Rugby half-back. Miss Ongley who learnt her swimming at Wellington Girls’ College should be a strong candidate for a place in the Otago Varsity team if she improves to the extent that may bo expected during the present season. She has good balance in the water and a neat style, and with a more powerful leg-action will undoubtedly turn in ibuch faster times.

National Champion Showing Form. Miss Islay Purdie, National ladies’ 440 yards free style champion, promises' to register some of the best performances of her career in the coming season. During the winter Miss Purdie kept in form by playing basketball and she was selected for the Otago team. Since the Municipal pool reopened she has been training steadily, and it is doubtful if she has over shown such encouraging early-season form as she has been doing in the last week or two. She is moving particularly freely and without sacrificing any loss of relaxation seems to have gained in power. Miss Purdie’s record in provincial and New Zealand championship competition in the last five years is one that compares with that of any other woman swimmer, and yet she still finds time to give her club excellent service on the executive side as assistant-secretary, her valuable work in this respect being referred to at the Kiwi annual meeting last week.

Promising Back Stroke Exponent; Almost .every season brings several very promising iuniors into inter-club competition, and one wlio shapes as though she may acquit herself well in championship back stroke competition is Nancy Godfrey, a pupil of Air H. Jl. do Crewe. Tliis girl showed a Jot of promise in primary school competition last season ; she is a versatile swimmer, but hack stroke appears to he her forte. She ha's excellent balance in the water and natural ability.