ATHLETICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 154, 28 December 1911, Page 7

ATHLETICS

BOARD OP CONTROL. MEETING IN WELLINGTON. By Telegraph —Press Association. Wellington, Tuesday. A meeting of the delegates of the Amateur Athletic 'Union of Australia was held to-niglit. 'Mr. R. Coombes, of Sydney, the president of the Union, was in the chair. Sydney was fixed upon as the headquarters of the Union. Mr. R. Coombes was re-elected president, Mr. Marks, of Sydney, was appointed hon. secretary, and Mr. Rowley, of Sydney, hon. treasurer. The executive committee of the Union submitted an appeal by the Redfern Harriers (New South Wales) against the Queensland award of the cross-coun-try championship to the Toowang ITarj riers, Queensland! The Board decided 11 that unless the appeal was consented to bv both parties, it could not be couriered. I The West Australian A.A.A. applied I for affiliation. Tlui application was deferred for enquiries to be made as to whether the Association is of a representative nature. The question of the amateur status came in for discussion in connection with a request by the New South Wales police and fire brigades' athletic sports body that the Union should allow a combined sports meeting of police and fire brigades to come within the scope of a rule providing that all sports meetings held by the Army and Navy and volunteer services, amateurs may compete with professionals. 'lt was decided that the rule in question could not be applied to the meeting, but that New South Wales A.A.A. be recommended to favorably consider applications by persons wishing to compete at the meeting, for reinstatement as amateurs. In connection with this matter it was pointed out by Mr. Parkinson, of Victoria, that unless the rule of exceptions was revised, now that they had compulsory military training in Australasia, the way would be opened for the practical breakdown of the amateur status in connection with the fifth Olympia, to be held at Stockholm in 1912. The Union resolved to give permission to the various State Unions to take such steps as they may consider proper with a view to representation at the gathering. Records passed by the Association during 1910-11 were adopted by the Board in accordance with the rules. Tho South Australian Association were fined £5 for failing to be represented in the chamiponship meeting, but on the motion of the delegates from New Zealand, to whom the fine is payable, the penalty was remitted, since the South Australian Association is in a parlous financial state.