CENTRE APPREHENSIVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 958, 29 April 1930, Page 14

CENTRE APPREHENSIVE

NO WOMEN SWIMMERS AT EMPIRE GAMES

STRONG CRITICISM VOICED

The Auckland Swimming Centre objects strongly to. the ruling of the British Empire Games Committee that no women athletes should be nominated to represent New Zealand at the Empire Games at Hamilton, Canada, in August.

Definite views were expressed by members of the centre last evening when a letter from the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association’s council said support could not be given the centre's nomination of Miss Gladys Pidgeon, of Waitemata Club, as a member of the New Zealand team. The council explained that it had been advised by the Empire Games Committee, with its headquarters at Wellington, that no nominations of women competitors would be considered. A contention by Mr. L. Kenny, delegate from the Waitemata Club, was that the Empire Games Committee did not possess the power to reject Miss Pidgeon’s nomination from the list to bo forwarded to Canada, were her expenses defrayed from Auckland. Mr. D. B. Mulvihill, Waitemata, maintained that there was a principle to be considered. The centre should take action. A protest against the prohibition of the nomination of women competitors was moved by Mr. Kenny. The motion, which was carried unanimously, said the centre regarded the Empire Games Committee’s decision with apprehension. in view of the prominence of women competitors in swimming. The centre urged action by the New Zealand Swimming Association in having the restriction lifted. EFFECT IN FUTURE The opinion that the chances of future representation of girl athletes would be jeopardised was given by Mr. G. Foy, Mount Eden, and Mr. L. Brighton, Ponsonby, suggested that this aspect should be made clear to the New Zealand Council. Mr. P. Stewart, Ponsonby, mentioned a move to ask the New Zealand Council’s representative on the Empire Games Committee to have that organisation’s decision changed, as an alternative to the action proposed. The swimmers nominated to represent New Zealand were Gordon Bridson, Auckland, free-style; D. Moorehouse, Canterbury, backstroke; R. Calder, Otago, diving; and Miss G. Pidgeon, Auckland, breaststroke. Auckland advanced Miss Pidgeon’s claims because she is the best breaststroke swimmer New Zealand has produced and her times give justification to the belief that she would represent New Zealand with reasonable success. The centre also discussed last evening the question of raising funds to send Bridson and possibly Miss Pidgeon to Canada. A benefit carnival is to be held on May 20. No entry fee will be charged and no trophies awarded. On tire motion of Mr. Mulvihill, the centre is to negotiate with the Australian Swimming Union for an appearance in Auckland by Australian swimmers travelling to the Empire Games.

Mr. H. Moore, secretary to the centre, was congratulated for the efficiency shown in managing the Auckland team at the New Zealand championships.