The Bay of Plenty Times MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1946. A HEALTHY RECREATION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 14081, 10 June 1946, Page 2

The Bay of Plenty Times MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1946. A HEALTHY RECREATION

Those people who have been fortunate enough to witness one of those marching displays by teams of young women which are becoming so popular in some of the larger centres throughout New Zealand will, not hesitate in recording their approval of the move now being made in Tauranga to form a marching and recreation association, for any one who has seen any of these displays surely could not help being impressed by them. For a number of years various marching teams and small organisations have been conducting marching tournaments throughout the country, but it has only been through the recent war years that the value of marching as a form of recreation has been realised by the young womanhood and physical educationists of New Zealand. Wanganui, the most interested centre, formed a national body, the name of this organisation being the New Zealand Marching and Recreation Association, the reason why the word .“recreation” was incorporated being to allow other activities to be added to their field days. From this original body interest has spread throughout the Dominion culminating in the remarkable display of costumes and marching at Timaru where the. national championships were held this year. The Bay of Plenty was not long in adopting this sport and during the six months of this year there have been various meetings at Waihi, Rotorua,and Whakatane, but in most cases these marching (hams have not had a controlling body to organise their sport. Rotorua has now formed an association and it is hoped that Tanranga, will follow suit. All those who have witnessed these small events in I he Bay of Plenty can easily visualise the possibilities of the sport becoming a major one which will be enjoyed by the public on all big gala days. The girls in these teams need consistent training to perfect themselves in the pastime and must show originality in the design of practical and striking costumes. It should be pointed out. that it is purely a summer sport and is an excellent carry over from basket ball and all winter activities. The move has everything to commend it and should be encouraged in every way.