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The Spike or Victoria College Review 1946

Tournament

Tournament

1946 was the first time in six years and three tournaments that V.U.C. had been away for Easter. It was also the year when we set a new low in Tournment points.

The reasons for our relative lack of success may be summarized briefly:

1. We sent a mediocre team who tried their best but met competition, particularly in athletics and swimming, which was fully up to national standard. The performances all around were probably better than they have ever been before. Several V.U.C. representatives who were past winners or record-holders failed to win in 1946.

2. Most of our clubs were just beginning to set themselves on their feet again, after having been in recess for three to six years. It takes two to three years to build up the average athlete, shooter, swimmer or tennis-player to meet open competition.

It should not be deduced from the points scored that we failed to provide adequate competition. Nevertheless we cannot allow the same thing to happen in 1947. The new regulations regarding representation and playing for outside clubs will begin to take effect next year. We must see that College Clubs are well supported this summer. Non-competitors who have the interests of the College at heart would assist if they turned up at some of the weekly meetings of the athletic, tennis and swimming clubs. A few spectators and supporters can make a noticeable difference to these clubs, as well as giving themselves a pleasant hour or two.

Canterbury College made an excellent effort to put Tournament back on the footing it held before the war. All the usual arrangements were made, and in an efficient manner. A good proportion of the events were broadcast. Billeting seemed to be especially well handled.

Our only event winners were M. Wishart (boxing) and Catherine Eichelbaum (swimming), but N.Z.U. Blues were also awarded to B.M. O'Connor and D. Goodwin (tennis).

Because of the pressure on bookings it was not possible for all representatives to travel together, but through the Union Company we arranged for all North Island competitors to travel on Easter Thursday. The Company's assistance is appreciated.

This year was the first time that women's athletics had been included in Tournament, and up to ten days or so before Easter there was considerable opposition from some Colleges. The standard in most events was a good answer to those who claimed that women were being included in the athletic team before time. The delegates hope that this season the athletic clubs will make an effort to see that women are adequately trained for Tournament.

The rotation of Easter and Winter Tournaments was discussed and a rota drawn up that will spread them as evenly as possible over both Islands, and provide for participation in various jubilees and centennials during the next three years. As a result Auckland will have Winter Tournament 1946 and Easter Tournament 1947, so that the rota may proceed evenly thereafter.

The Easter Tournament Committee has been operating for 45 years, longer than the V.U.C. Students' Association, and consequently the delegates were somewhat surprised to hear that N.Z.U.S.A. had claimed an overriding jurisdiction, on the ground that, for the purpose of Blues only, the Committee was affiliated to N.Z.U.S.A. The Committee, along with other Sports Councils, entrusted awards of Blues to N.Z.U.S.A. when it was formed about 1932, and apart from a certain slowness of action, N.Z.U.S.A. has given every satisfaction.

Were N.Z.U.S.A. vested with plenary powers, there might be some justification, but that is not the case. They may discuss matters of interest to students generally, but substantive decision must still be referred back to the Executives of the Colleges. Similarly Tournament delegates are responsible to their own Executives, so that under either system the final power lies with the Executives.

The Tournament Committee appreciate the work that N.Z.U.S.A. does already, but are convinced that the organization which has successfully run Tournaments for 45 years is more capable of continuing to do so than any impotent external body.

R. M. Daniell,

M.J. Poole,

Tournament Delegates.