LADY RUGBY PLAYERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 78, 1 April 1922, Page 11

LADY RUGBY PLAYERS.

A MEETING IN WELLINGTON. "WE WILL DRAW CROW DP."' I A meeting of ladies who desire to ( play Rugby football was lipid at the Town Hall, Wellington, on Wednesday evening, Mins. I'hyliie Dawson presided over an attendance of a dozen but taid that last .•season there wore about 31 playing members. They played two games with 1,5 a-tude, on one occasion having the use of St. Patrick's ground, anil on tho second oei-a-ion they played at Lyall Hay. They made an attempt to get going last season, hut, failing to got a ground, they were not successful. "When we f,' cl g"i'>g we s '>a!l draw the crowd," continued M:--s Dawson. T'ne game was played by hulio-s in other parts <>f the world," and she did not see whythey should not play in New Zealand.; They played in proper uniform last sea- i son. The would have to get tonic money' at the hack of them. I A girl: Have a dance. j The chairman said they had a dance j last year, but they made no funds from! it. I Another young lady suggested a football dance in uniform! and it was deeded to follow up this suggestion. ' : Mis* Dawson rain that .she had been promised a seven-a-sido game as a cur-tain-raiser, provided she was ahlc to ,'et the teams together. The Rugby League, she said, had given them a good reception and would hack them up if the players were forthcoming. ! One or two more ladies dropped in later to the meeting, and M:s» Dawson proceeded that she could count on I") players now, and others would join in the course of the week. A gentleman present asked if the ladies had consulted medical advice a< to the suitability of the Rugby game for ladies? Miss Dawson replied that they had not seen a doctor, but she had consulted an instructor in pliysical culture, who said it would lie a fine thing for the girls. This year she thought house matches might he arranged between the giris of various factories. Asked what the City Council's views on the matter were, .Miss Dawson said the reserves committee \va.< not very sympathetic, the cliairman stating that if any accident occurred on one of their field,* the council would be responsible. Kl'e had approached the council to get dressing sheds, lull it could do nothing at present, and she intended pressing tV matter through the Rugby League. Last season's play justified them in going on. On one occasion they were nearly carried off the field. (Laughter.) The trouble, of finance was raised a<jain, and one young lady, without any bash fulness, suggested tliat when the football dunce was held, they should •lance in football tosr-, with silk knickers, and rharjre the public .""»/ or 2,'G to ffo in and sec them. (Laughter.) Miss Dawson said they would play tho Rugby game, which they would enjoy. They would commence practice very soon, and had been promised help in training.