Tasman Jones Explained

Tas Jones
Birth Name:Henry Tasman Jones
Other Names:Tasman Jones
Birth Date:7 April 1893
Birth Place:Launceston, Tasmania
Death Date:December
Known For:swimmer, diver

Tasman (Tas) Jones (1893 – 1936) was an Australian sportsman, well known as a swimmer and a diver. He also played water polo, rugby union, and rugby league.

Early life and education

Jones was born Henry Tasman Jones on 7 April 1893 at Launceston.[1] He went by the diminutive given name Tas, which he also used in legal matters.[2]

Jones attended the Crown Street Superior Public School. As a teenager he showed talent in swimming.

By 1906 Jones was winning handicap races, 45 yards school competition, starting from scratch,[3] Winning again over 50 yards.[4] At the age of 14 he won the 60 yards championship at Crown Street Superior Public School.[5]

Jones was required to "swim off" to split dead heat eligibility to compete in inter school events at above his age,[6] and missing out, still winning at age level.[7]

Two decades later, Jones' swimming performance at school was still a benchmark for competitiveness for others.[8]

Adult life

Jones devised a scoring method for diving, adopted in December 1914,[9] using standardised tabulated forms[10] which took account of diving elements, including approach, deportment, and entry.[11] His method was considered simple for judging and broadly satisfactory, but it did not account for the degree of difficulty of the dive.[12]

Jones was respected as a "never failing volunteer" for sporting demonstrations for "good causes".[13]

He managed the Spit Baths from 1918 to 1922.[14] His knowledge of and experience in the provision of swimming bath facilities was called upon by others.[15]

Jones was involved in water rescues, saving one life.[16]

His profile was such that he was used to endorse products in advertising.[17]

Jones died December 1936.[14]

His death left his widow in difficult circumstances and the Spit Club raised funding to assist her,[14] known as the Tas Jones Memorial Fund.[18]

Outreach

As well as performing in demonstration diving and swimming events, Jones took a keen interest in the administration, development, and support of others in sport.

Jones was a vice-captain for the East Sydney Club,[19] and a handicapper for the club.[20]

He was the inaugural president[21] of the Spit Club, and its swimming coach.[22] and later the president of the gentlemen's section of the club.[23]

Jones coached individual diving,[24] and individual swimming,[25] and he was the inaugural coach of the Balmoral Amateur Swimming Club.[26]

Jones would sponsor sporting achievements, some included the 50 yard swim trophy for the East Sydney Amateur Club,[27] the Spit Club diving trophy,[28] and the North Sydney rugby league club trophy for most consistent forward.[29]

Swimming

Jones was referred to as a "star sprinter".[30]

Diving

Jones had a diving reputation in 1912.[31]

He frequently led diver teams in demonstration events.[32] and was considered a diving veteran.[33]

Water polo

In 1909 Jones played water polo second grade for East Sydney.[34] And later played water polo at state championships.[35]

He was sought by the [amateur] Randwick and Coogee water polo team in 1931 but was regarded as professional. While Jones had never competed as a professional he had managed the Spit Baths and taught children to swim for fees.[36]

Rugby union

Jones played second grade for the Eastern Sydney rugby league club from 1912[37] to 1914.[38]

He moved to first grade in 1914 in fullback and three-quarter positions.[39]

Jones also played in seven-a-side competition for Eastern Suburbs[40] as a back.[41]

Rugby league

Jones played first grade[42] for the North Sydney rugby league club.[14]

He started playing rugby league, for Eastern Suburbs, in a pre-season game, but was under disqualification from rugby union. Jones was observed to be a bit hazy on the rule differences between league ad union.[43] Jones played at halfback for Eastern Suburbs first grade opening game of the season against Annandale.[44]

In 1919 Jones played for North Sydney.[45]

Notes and References

    • Web site: Jones, Henry Tasman . Libraries Tasmania . Names Index . 1893 . 12 January 2022.
    • News: TASMANIAN NOTES. . . 1320 . New South Wales, Australia . 21 February 1912 . 12 January 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: Advertising . . 25,133 . New South Wales, Australia . 25 July 1918 . 12 January 2022 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: CROWN STREET. . . 1089 . New South Wales, Australia . 2 December 1906 . 9 January 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: CROWN-STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL. . . 21,552 . New South Wales, Australia . 14 February 1907 . 9 January 2022 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: SOMETHING ABOUT HORSE-SHOEING. . . 1112 . New South Wales, Australia . 12 May 1907 . 9 January 2022 . 2 (The Sunday Times MAGAZINE SECTION) . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: SCHOOL SWIMMING. . The Daily Telegraph . 8973 . New South Wales, Australia . 4 March 1908 . 9 January 2022 . 14 . National Library of Australia.
  7. News: SWIMMING . . 259 . New South Wales, Australia . 15 March 1908 . 9 January 2022 . 16 . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: ONE OF A FAMILY OF BOOKMAKERS . . 2105 . New South Wales, Australia . 6 June 1926 . 8 January 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  9. News: HIGH DIVING AND SWIMMING CARNIVALS . . 1468 . New South Wales, Australia . 16 December 1914 . 9 January 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  10. News: Swimming . . 1461 . New South Wales, Australia . 28 October 1914 . 9 January 2022 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
  11. News: THE DUKE BEATEN . . 979 . New South Wales, Australia . 9 January 1915 . 8 January 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  12. News: TO JUDGE DIVING COMPETITIONS. . . 1501 . New South Wales, Australia . 6 October 1915 . 12 January 2022 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
  13. News: SWIMMING ITEMS . . 986 . New South Wales, Australia . 27 February 1915 . 8 January 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  14. News: The Two Million . The Daily Telegraph. I . 275 . New South Wales, Australia . 6 February 1937 . 8 January 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  15. News: SWIMMING BATHS. . . IX . 139 . New South Wales, Australia . 13 June 1919 . 8 January 2022 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
    • News: SAD DROWNING. ACCIDENT. . . XCX . 13,739 . Tasmania, Australia . 9 March 1914 . 9 January 2022 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
    • News: IN RIVER WHIRLPOOL . . CXLII . 20,108 . Tasmania, Australia . 5 April 1935 . 9 January 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  17. News: Advertising . . 1739 . New South Wales, Australia . 18 May 1919 . 8 January 2022 . 23 . National Library of Australia.
  18. News: SPIT CLUB CARNIVAL . The Daily Telegraph. I . 273 . New South Wales, Australia . 4 February 1937 . 8 January 2022 . 20 . National Library of Australia.
  19. News: SWIMMING. . . X . 640 . New South Wales, Australia . 27 September 1911 . 9 January 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  20. News: SWIMMING. . . 14,779 . New South Wales, Australia . 21 October 1914 . 9 January 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  21. News: SWIMMING . . 1321 . New South Wales, Australia . 30 September 1921 . 8 January 2022 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
  22. News: SWIMMING . . 1094 . New South Wales, Australia . 17 March 1917 . 8 January 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  23. News: SWIMMING. . . 26,159 . New South Wales, Australia . 7 November 1921 . 8 January 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  24. News: SCHOOL SPORT . . 1349 . New South Wales, Australia . 14 April 1922 . 8 January 2022 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
  25. News: AMONGST THE SWIMMERS. . . 1185 . New South Wales, Australia . 13 December 1918 . 8 January 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  26. News: PREPARING FOR HARRIS . . 1380 . New South Wales, Australia . 10 November 1922 . 8 January 2022 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
  27. News: SWIMMING NOTES . . 1126 . New South Wales, Australia . 26 October 1917 . 8 January 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  28. News: SWIMMING . . 1092 . New South Wales, Australia . 3 March 1917 . 8 January 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  29. News: NORTH SYDNEY OUTING. . . 1750 . New South Wales, Australia . 22 September 1920 . 8 January 2022 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
  30. News: Popularising Swimming . . 1320 . New South Wales, Australia . 7 October 1924 . 8 January 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  31. News: SWIMMING. . . XI . 705 . New South Wales, Australia . 25 December 1912 . 8 January 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
    • 1921 News: SWIMMING . . XVII . 1168 . New South Wales, Australia . 9 November 1921 . 8 January 2022 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
    • 1922 News: SWIMMING. . . 26,290 . New South Wales, Australia . 10 April 1922 . 8 January 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
    • 1925 News: SWIMMING. . . 27,206 . New South Wales, Australia . 17 March 1925 . 8 January 2022 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
  33. News: Swimming : Duke's Form Reviewed . . 1478 . New South Wales, Australia . 24 February 1915 . 8 January 2022 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
  34. News: SWIMMING. . . 13,001 . New South Wales, Australia . 9 February 1909 . 9 January 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  35. News: STATE SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS CONCLUDED . . 1315 . New South Wales, Australia . 17 January 1912 . 8 January 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  36. News: NO INCREASE IN FEES . The Daily Telegraph. 1 . 263 . New South Wales, Australia . 18 December 1931 . 8 January 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  37. News: FOOTBALL. . . 23,489 . New South Wales, Australia . 23 April 1913 . 9 January 2022 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  38. News: RUGBY UNION . . 1476 . New South Wales, Australia . 3 May 1914 . 7 January 2022 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
    • News: UNIVERSITY v BALMAIN. . . 23,823 . New South Wales, Australia . 18 May 1914 . 7 January 2022 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
    • News: FOOTBALL . . 14,649 . New South Wales, Australia . 22 May 1914 . 7 January 2022 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
    • News: GENERAL ITEMS. . . 14,661 . New South Wales, Australia . 5 June 1914 . 7 January 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  40. News: INTER-STATE RUGBY UNION. . . 1234 . New South Wales, Australia . 11 June 1914 . 7 January 2022 . 7 (FINAL EXTRA) . National Library of Australia.
  41. News: RUGBY UNION. . . 14,673 . New South Wales, Australia . 19 June 1914 . 7 January 2022 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
  42. News: Records Expected at Last National Carnival . The Daily Telegraph. I . 256 . New South Wales, Australia . 15 January 1937 . 8 January 2022 . 19 . National Library of Australia.
  43. News: EASTERN SUBURBS. . . XIV . 880 . New South Wales, Australia . 3 May 1916 . 7 January 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  44. News: EASTERN SUBURBS v. ANNANDALE. . . XIV . 881 . New South Wales, Australia . 10 May 1916 . 7 January 2022 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
    • News: BALMAIN OUTCLASS NORTH. . . XVI . 1047 . New South Wales, Australia . 16 July 1919 . 7 January 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
    • News: NORTH BEAT ANNANDALE. . . XVI . 1055 . New South Wales, Australia . 10 September 1919 . 7 January 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.

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