Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 2 (May 1, 1939)

Miss Decima Norman

Miss Decima Norman.

British Empire champion at three events, Miss Decima Norman, of Perth (West Australia) did much to popularise women's athletics during her short tour of the Auckland province in March. Beaten by the New Zealander, Miss Doreen Lumley, who equalled the world's record of 11sec. for 100yds., Miss Norman came back to turn the tables on her rival and also equal the world's record. Miss Norman followed this up by winning three New Zealand track championships at the women's inaugural national track and field championships.

Miss Norman's style of sprinting is against all accepted rules, but she possesses energy to burn and seemed to put more enthusiasm into her sprinting than do New Zealand athletes.

Accompanying Miss Norman as manageress—not chaperone, she requested it be made known—was Mrs. D. Magee, Secretary of the Australian Women's Amateur Atheletic Union. Mrs. Magee worked hard to secure an interchange of visits between New Zealand and Australian feminine atheletes and there seems reason to suggest that her mission will succeed.

New Zealand's feminine athletes reached a high-class of competition at the inaugural meeting and proved that they could hold their own in international competition if given more chances of competing against recognised stars. This was the first occasion an overseas representative has competed against the pick of New Zealand's feminine athletes and the lessons learned will do much to raise an already high standard.