They’Re Taking French

Sports Rivalry Very

Seriously In Noumea

Rivalry between the French territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia promises to be especially keen at the forthcoming South Pacific Games in Tahiti, September next year.

From HELEN ROUSSEAU, in Noumea

Swimmers in Noumea are expected to begin serious training in mid- August, after a one month closing of the pool used by the Cercle des Nageurs Caledoniens.

Only about half a dozen youngsters have been training regularly this winter, with water in the pool under 70 deg. Heating equipment did not arrive when expected, but it’s hoped it will be available for installation in the pool shortly.

Meanwhile it’s known locally that stronger competition may be expec ted in Tahiti next year—especially since the opening of the pool in Port Moresby, where the climate is also more favourable for winter training.

One of New Caledonia’s main hopes for Tahiti, Marie-Jose Kersaudy, has not trained for several months, but is expected to start getting into form around October. In mid-July, young Marlene Hanner and Dolores Anewy, flew off to France to enter the national field.

Happy events of the swimmers’ month, was the marriage in France 3f Simone Hanner and Jean-Yves Mamelin. The possibility of this pair continuing their racing :areer, is now in doubt, however.

Main encouragement for the new season will be the arrival from Paris n August of French national swim ming coach, Francois Oppenheim.

If swimming has slackened off luring the Caledonian winter, soccer m the other hand has seen various keenly disputed competitions.

The international season opened in Slay, with the visit to Noumea of he Jardine Soccer Club from Hong ■Cong. In an evening match against i Caledonian selection, the Chinese 3layers won 2-1.

Much-awaited encounters were then held in Tahiti in early July, between the Swiss of Zurich, Tahitians and Caledonians.

The Caledonians defeated Tahiti in the first match 2-0, but a second prolonged encounter brought a 4-2

score in favour of Tahiti. The Swiss were then beaten by Tahiti but defeated New Caledonia.

The Caledonian coach, Guy Elmour, was at the time in France for training. As an indication of the importance attached to the Tahiti performances, however, Mr. R.

Siener, director of the Department of Youth and Sports in Noumea, asked the Territorial Assembly to sponsor his trip to Tahiti to study this impor tant rival for the September Games.

Mr. Siener was also to prepare the December visit of some 58 Cale donian athletes to Tahiti.

To seek out new prospects for the Caledonian athletics team, the Department of Youth and Sports was planning trials throughout inland centres during July-October.

In the tennis field, a team of Caledonian players earlier visited Sydney for a series of valuable matches against suburban clubs.

Finally, in volley-ball, the famous so-called “Racing Club de France” team arrived in Noumea on July 16, to play a series of three. matches.

This champion French team was also scheduled to play one match in the New Hebrides and five in Tahiti.

This visit was another indication of the keen interest Paris is taking in the preparation of its French Pacific athletes for next September in Tahiti.

Port Moresby basketballers hoped to establish a world record for goal throwing during a “throwathon” in early August. During the throwathon, to raise funds to send a territory team to the South Pacific Games, four teams were to attempt to throw as many goals as possible in a six hour period.