The Patriarch of Sport

NZ Truth, Issue 1153, 5 January 1928, Page 12

The Patriarch of Sport

IT would be futile to try and enumerate here the various titles and positions that "Dick" Coombes has held in sport during a life-time that has been devoted to the burning of incense and the offering of sacrifices at the altar of athletics.

"Dick" is no longer so sprightly that he may take part actively in the pursuits which he has so unselfishly fostered, but advancing years have by no means dulled his essentially active brain, his administrative ability or the respect in which he is universally held as a sportsman and a gentleman. One of the greatest successes of "Dick's" career was the forming of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia and New Zealand in 1897 and he has carried the presidency and administered, the affairs of this great body with credit ever since.

"Dick's" headquarters are in Sydney, but he has visited New Zealand no fewer than 18 times, and he is with us at present for the 16th bi-ennial championships of Australia and New Zealand and the conference of the A. A. Union. A man who makes friends galore and. few enemies, he is ever welcome in New Zealand, and though his tally of years tots up to something well over three score and ten, his vigor is such that friends hope that he may visit us yet another 18 times.

He is a believer and, staunch advocate of not merely one sport, but of every branch, and the outdoor tree has many branches.