SWIMMING YEAR

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20955, 7 November 1939, Page 8

SWIMMING YEAR

SOUTH AUCKLAND CENTRE PLANS FOR COMING SEASON COACHING SYSTEM PROPOSED Delegates from the Morrinsville, Matamata, Cambridge, Hamilton and Y.M.C.A. Clubs were present at the annual meeting of the South Auckland Amateur Swimming Association last night. Apologies were received from Waihi and Paeroa. The retiring president, Mr L. I. Day, briefly outlined in his report the activities of the centre during the past year, and extended congratulations to those winning championship honours, especially to Miss J. McDonald, who was runner-up in the

New Zealand intermediate girls' diving championship. His thanks were conveyed to the executive and the secretary for their co-operation during the past year. The new president, Mr E. H. Grocott, outlined the policy he would adopt during his term of office, the major point being the teaching and coaching of the junior members. He the school children to join their appealed to all clubs to encourage ranks and devote the greatest portion of their club nights to the thorough coaching of these members in swimming and life-saving. He mentioned that the Y.M.C.A. Club had already enrolled 75 junior members from the Hamilton East and Hamilton West schools. A thorough coaching system under Mr L. Cook was being inaugurated. He hoped for the re-establishment of the South Auckland primary schools championships, and he would like to see more distance swimming indulged in by the senior members of clubs so as to develop more stamina amongst the swimmers. Conducting Carnivals During the evening many innovations for the running Of carnivals were adopted, particularly in relation to grade swimming, and there was every indication that competitive swimming in the centre will be catered for as never before. Reference was made to the great success achieved by the centre, under the organisation of Mr Grocott, in the learn to swim campaign last year, when the number of children taught to swim amounted to one-sixth of the total in New Zealand. Mainly because of his efforts in that direction Mr Grocott -was awarded the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association’s honorary blazer at the recent conference of centres, in Wellington. The following officers were elected:— Patron: Mr L. I. Day; president, Mr E. H. Grocott; vice-presidents, Messrs D. M. Gracie (senior), V. G. Boulton, M. Johnson, E. W. Clark, D. V. Bryant and presidents of the Waihi, Paeroa and Thames clubs; secretary .and treasurer, Mr L. Cross; assist-ant-secretary, Miss A. Taylor; handicapper, Mr N. Sorrenson; committee, Messrs E. H. Grocott, L. Cross, D. M. Gracie; starter and education officer (pro tern), Mr L. Cross.