In 1964 New Zealand athletics was enjoying the best of days. At the Tokyo Olympic Games Peter Snell had won two gold medals, John Davies and Marise Chamberlain had each won a bronze medal, Valerie Sloper had placed fourth in the discus and Bill Ballie was sixth in the 5000 meters. I knew the coach behind much of that success. Arthur Lydiard and I frequently sat in his Beachland’s home discussing the principles of preparing world class athletes. And in one of those conversations Arthur told me the following story.

When the New Zealand Tokyo Olympic team arrived home Arthur felt it would be good for New Zealanders to see their best runners in action. He invited several Tokyo finalists to Auckland and on the 17 November 1964 an international track meet took place at Western Springs Stadium. The response from the Auckland public was remarkable. To this day the attendance at that track meet is the largest crowd ever recorded for the Stadium. Arthur said just getting to Western Springs was chaos. There were cars and people everywhere. Parking was impossible. It was so difficult that by the time Arthur made it to the gate the meet was about to start. And then there was an unexpected problem. The official on the gate would not let Arthur in without a ticket or payment.

Arthur explained that he was the meet promoter, most of the runners were coached by him and he was seriously late. The official was unmoved. No one gets into this meet without paying. So Arthur paid. Two hours later one of Arthur’s runners, Peter Snell, set a world record for the one mile.  

Some years later I was coaching swimmers in Florida. The Fort Lauderdale International is a major annual event. As I joined the queue waiting to get into the meet two celebrated faces were ahead of me. About to enter the gate was a swimmer I knew well, Rhi Jeffrey. She is an Athens Olympic Gold medalist. An honor she earned as part of the USA team that won the 4×200 relay. Just behind her in the queue was Gary Hall Jr the 2000 and 2004 Olympic 50 freestyle champion. I knew that Rhi had been invited to the meet to present medals. I assumed Gary Hall Jr was there for the same reason. When Rhi reached the ticket booth the lady in the booth demanded payment. Rhi explained that because she was an Olympic gold medalist she had been invited to present medals. But this gate keeper was not about to accept that excuse and continued to demand payment. Rhi was easily up to the challenge and asked to speak to the meet organizer. The lady agreed and sent someone to find the boss. While Rhi waited Gary Hall Jr reached the gate. He told Rhi he had seen her problem and to avoid the ticket sentry was just going to pay. A few minutes and $5 lighter he was allowed through the gate. Ten minutes later the boss arrived, paid Rhi’s $5 and she was through Check Point Charlie as well. Wow I thought, three Olympic Gold Medals and working at the meet and still that wasn’t excuse enough to avoid paying.

And so, you may be asking what is the point of all this. Well the stories came to mind when I read that New Zealand coaches were about to be charged $60 to attend the National Championships. Even by Western Springs and Fort Lauderdale standards that seemed like a lot of money. I see that someone else must have had the same thought. The charge has been reduced to $20. Now I know there will be many who object to even $20 and I understand why. The natural inclination of every New Zealander is that volunteers and coaches should be admitted for free. Hospitals, armies, schools and swim meets are paid for by the state.

However as I have argued in Swimwatch before I support Swimming New Zealand becoming more user pays. But my support is offered on the condition that we see a concerted effort by the organization to wean itself off state subsidies. If my $20 helps swimming get rid of Miskimmin then it is a payment well worth making. Why? Because a financially independent organization will serve New Zealand’s swimmers better than the state welfare beneficiary we have now. If I feel that my $20 is contributing to the formation of a lean, independent organization responsive to the needs of New Zealand swimmers then it is money well spent. But if I am paying $20 to fund the bloated lifestyle that became the norm at SNZ then any amount is too much.

And so the message to SNZ should be – you are welcome to my $20. I am happy to pay to enter the National Championships. But you are on notice. You are no longer living on the largess of the state. You are now spending money paid to you by your members. Spend it wisely. Manage an efficient, lean and responsive business and you will earn our generous support.   

PS – Frequently small symbols can make a big difference. If we are all expected to pay $20 to work at the National Championships we need the urgent confirmation of SNZ that Donna, Peter, Shannon, Amy, Gary, Keegan, Scott, Jerry, Kent, Amanda and Mathew are putting their hand in their pockets. Oh and $20 should also be paid by Bruce, Geoff, Margaret, Nick, Anna and Simon. What’s good for the goose, they say, is good for the gander. Just ask Arthur, Rhi and Gary.

PPS – for anyone who does not recognize the names listed they are the staff and Board of SNZ who will, or should be, at the National Championships in April.