Sports grants

Sports Clubs in this university have it pretty good—or so the saying goes.

In point of fact, the university sports clubs deserve a considerably better deal than they are getting.

The fact that one of major reasons why nothing has been done lies in the sports clubs' silence on the matter is not a reason for no action.

The clubs annually receive £2000 from the students' association. While this is a large sum, a fair case can be made out that they should have more.

And they should have freedom to allocate it at their complete discretion.

The sports clubs have an enviable record in administration and in activity. They have shown a cohesive spirit and an efficient approach towards sharing the monies available and stimulating weak and new sports.

But, large though their grant is, it is not sufficient. New Zealand universities' teams are still not able to tour and compete on the strength of their ability. Few tours are possible, and these are hamstrung by lack of finance.

The extension of two existing principles into the field of sports organisation would do much to help this university's clubs.

The first is the splitting away of sport from the main students' association into a union of its own. This has been done overseas and also at the national level here.

The second lies in recognising that participant and non-participant students have an equal obligation towards promoting university sport.

An initial budget of £3000 a year would not be an unrealistic assessment of the sports clubs' real needs.

—H.B.R.