Joseph Firth attended Nelson College beginning in 1873, where he coached football and cricket and played fullback. A large man (196 cm), he served as captain of the college’s cadet unit in 1879. In 1881 Firth was appointed junior master at Wellington College in 1881 but in 1886 left for Christ’s College, Christchurch as gymnastics master where he would earn his BA at Canterbury College. In 1892 he was appointed Principal at Wellington College and he would serve in that post until 1921. Firth was involved in the Navy League, the National Defense League and as chairman of the Wellington Citizens’ War Memorial Committee. In sport he was interested in athletics, boxing, and cricket and served as Chairman of the Wellington Rugby Football Union. Firth was co-opted onto the IOC in 1925 but served only three years and never attended an IOC Session.
New Zealand