William Leonard James Newell (13 July 1913 – 17 August 1994) was a New Zealand swimmer who represented his country at the 1938 British Empire Games.

Len Newell
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Leonard James Newell
Born(1913-07-13)13 July 1913
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died17 August 1994(1994-08-17) (aged 81)
Christchurch, New Zealand
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportSwimming
Achievements and titles
National finals440 yards freestyle champion (1936, 1938, 1940)

Biography

edit

Born in Christchurch on 13 July 1913, Newell was the son of William Newell and Eliza Lewis Newell (née Richards).[1]

Newell won the 440 yards freestyle title at the New Zealand national swimming championships, representing Canterbury, in 1936, 1938, and 1940.[2]

He represented New Zealand in the men's 440 yards and 1650 yards freestyle events at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney.[3] He finished seventh in his heat of the 440 yards,[4] and did not progress to the final, while in his heat of the 1650 yards he retired.[5]

Newell died in Christchurch on 17 August 1994, and his ashes were buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in the suburb of Linwood.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Birth index: registration number 1913/4060". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  2. ^ McLintock, A.H., ed. (1966). "Swimming – national championships". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Wellington: Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  3. ^ "Len Newell". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  4. ^ "Extraordinary bungling mars Empire swims". Truth. 6 February 1938. p. 7. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  5. ^ "Swimming". Northern Star. 8 February 1938. p. 8. Retrieved 29 March 2018.