Commonwealth Games: Old champs tell what it takes

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Jaynie Parkhouse was the darling of the New Zealand team at the 1974 Commonwealth Games but she admits there were times in the lead-up to her stunning gold medal swim when she struggled for motivation.

Now, as Jaynie Hudgell, she is among a group of top sportsmen and women who have been asked to speak to members of the Manchester Commonwealth Games team in a series of "peak performing seminars".

Chef de mission Dave Currie and athletes' services team leader Belinda Cordwell came up with the idea for the five seminars, which will be held next month in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland (twice).

The concept follows similar initiatives promoted by Olympic committees in the United States and Australia.

"I know when I was chasing a place in the 1974 team how hard the slog could be," said Hudgell yesterday. "The best teacher in those circumstances is someone who has had the experience.

"I remember when some Americans came to our club in Christchurch and what I got from talking to them.

"I think the idea of having these seminars is a good one. I believe they would have been useful if we had had them."

Currie said the informal discussions were a chance to give team members information and inspiration from others who had been involved at sport at its highest level.

"The response has been encouraging," said Currie.

"Having these meetings early will be a good chance to get athletes together before they head off for their final preparations."

Joining Hudgell at the seminars will be former All Whites captain Steve Sumner, softball legend Mark Sorensen, disabled athlete Mark Inglis, Atlantic rower Jude Ellis, Commonwealth Games sevens gold medallist Dallas Seymour and Olympians including Murray Halberg.

The first members of the Games team are expected to be confirmed in April.

Currie said he expected about 210 athletes from all 17 Games sports to be named.