Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Tuesday 16 April 1935, page 12


AMATEUR ATHLETICS

MR. RICHARD COOMBES

Death Occurs in Sydney

An Outstanding Personality

SYDNEY, April 15.

Mr. Richard Coombes, who for many years had been an outstanding personal-ity in amateur athletics and other branches of sport in Australia, died to-day. He was 80 years of age.

Mr. Coombes was known as the "father" of amateur athletics in Australia. He was born in Middlesex, and came to Aus-tralia In 1880. It was not long before be made his mark as an administrator in sport. He was instrumental in founding the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia. He had been a champion walker when a member of the London Athletic Club, and in 1889 founded the first walkers' club In Australia, the Sydney Amateur Walkers Club. In the same year his efforts also led to the forming of the Sydney harriers, thus introducing cross-country running into Australia. Mr. Coombes was for many years the representative of Aus-tralia and New Zealand on the Interna-tional Olympic Committee. In 1889 he drafted a definite code of rules to govern track walking, and these rules were adopted throughout the world. He was prominently connected with coursing, rifle shooting, rowing, sculling, and cycling. He was a successful oarsman and marksman in England, and for 17 years was captain of the Sydney Rifle Club, later becoming president.