Personalities In N.Z. Sport

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 525, 30 November 1928, Page 6

Personalities In N.Z. Sport

Strong Sponsor of Training in Swimming Centre Representative

Mr. Lea Brighton, who has had so much to do with the destinies of th'e Ponsonby Swimming Club and the Auckland Swimming Centre, is a true Aucklander. He lias lived in New Zealand’s largest city all his life, and Len naturally believes that Auckland is the best and busiest centre in the Dominion. All swimmers know Len Brighton. Fie is known wherever competitive swimming is carried on in Xew Zealand, for he is a tireless worker for the sport. His advice has been found invaluable by his club, and the Auckland Centre, in carnival arrangements and official work. Len is now on his fourth year as a delegate to the centre. He has faced all its problems with the rest of the delegates, who certainly have not the easiest task among sporting’ bodies. Swimming always has its big share of problems. IMPORTANT WORKS For three years Len has been educational officer on the centre. He has served his club in this capacity for four years. It is nearly a custom for delegates at the annual meeting of the centre to praise him lavishly for his work. Fie needs all their praise. All through a season he is intent upon sponsoring swimming children. He carries out his aims, and much of the interest roused in Auckland schools in the sport is due to his efforts. “I believe the educational side of swimming needs all the attention it can get,” he will assure a questioner. “The kiddies are the ones swimming controls must cater for.” For the past six years Len has been secretary to the Ponsonby Club, which ranks with Waitemata as the club with the largest membership in Auckland. For two years he has been club handieapper, and has been practically sole

organiser for school championships in his district for several years past. He has always been handy at centre carnivals to assist in the official side. Usually he is check starter or press steward. In the centre business proper. Len Brighton is an active figure. He is prominent in committee work, and is always a strong advocate for visits from overseas swimmers. Toward this end he figured in the arrangements for visits from Arne Bor_, Sam Kahanamoku, and Miss Wescbelau, and most recently Johnnie Weismuller. Tie was among Tie centre members who stressed the necessity for caution regarding the Weismuller preparations. The caution has since been justified. The Olympic carnival last season was another endeavour which found Len an active figure. AN EX-CRICKETER Cricket is the other summer sport which claims Len Brighton’s attention. He once played for the Grafton Club, of which he was secretary for two years. For the past five years, however, swimming has received most of his interest. Yachting and launching are two other lines of summer sport in which he takes a small part. In winter? Len is one of the most ardent of Rugby followers. On most Saturdays lie is to be found in the front row of onlookers at Eden Park. Perhaps ho is wise in keeping the winter free from active olficial life in sport. But, despite the sporting medley which keeps him occupied, Len is preeminently an advocate of the training of children in swimming. For that class of /work alone he is above the ordinary run of sports official. Yes, Len Brighton is an Aucklander. Auckland sport and ts progress are of the utmost interest to him. He firmly believes that everyo.-e should be interested in a sport, even if the active side is not considered.