West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Wednesday 17 April 1935, page 8


AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Death of Richard Coombes.

SYDNEY. April 16. — B. Richard Coombes. who for many yean ha* been an outstanding personality in amateur athletics and other branchei of sport in Australia, died yesterday. Be waa

bo years ox age. me late Mr. 'oombes was known as the 'father' of nmteur athletic in Australia. H« was bora In Middlesex and came to Australia in 1886. It waa not long before fas mad* Ms mark as an administrator In sport and in 1887 fas waa responsible for tbt formation of the Mew Sooth Wales Amateur Athletic Association of which he was a rice-president and later for many years president. In 1886 be wss Instrumental ? in founding I .*. Amateur Athletic . Union of Australia and was the first president. He had been 'a champion walker when a member of the London Athletic Club and in 1889 he 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. Hr. Coombes was for many years the representative of Australia and New Zealand on the International Olympic committee and he took a leading part in the affairs of Olmpic sport In Australia. In 1889 he drafted a definite code of rules to govern track walking and these rules were adopted throughout the world. He was twice Invited to act as Judge »f walking at the Olympic Games, but was unable to accept the invitations. His interest in sport, however, extended beyond athletic*, for be was prominently connected with cuur^ng. rifle shooting, rowing; sculling and cycling, dc was a successful oarsman and marksman in England and for 1-7 yean he ras captain of the Sydney Fifle Cl-.i, l-'ter becoming tirrtident).