Len Newell


William Leonard James Newell was a New Zealand swimmer who represented his country at the 1938 British Empire Games.

Biography

Born in Christchurch on 13 July 1913, Newell was the son of William Newell and Eliza Lewis Newell.
Newell won the 440 yards freestyle title at the New Zealand national swimming championships, representing Canterbury, in 1936, 1938, and 1940.
He represented New Zealand in the men's 440 yards and 1650 yards freestyle events at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney. He finished seventh in his heat of the 440 yards, and did not progress to the final, while in his heat of the 1650 yards he retired.
Newell died in Christchurch on 17 August 1994, and his ashes were buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in the suburb of Linwood.