The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JUNE 12th, 1939 OUR SPORTING FACILITIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 23, 12 June 1939, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JUNE 12th, 1939 OUR SPORTING FACILITIES

WHAKATANE'S ae&t for sport and athletics has never been more pronounced than at present. The splendid public patronage afforded the weekly Rugby matches in the Domain is sufficient to bear this out. Monday week's rep fixture furnished yet another example. It is obvious that the people are ready and willing to give their support, but what encouragement ha<ve th'ey received. Here in a town that is growing rapidly, we have to put up with conditions which belong to pre-war days. To get the question in its right perspective, it is necessary to take the public point of view, and as spectators are expected to pay for the privilege of watching the games this is only right and' fair. A person arrives at the gates, pays for admittance and "(then proceeds to stand for the rest of the time watching the games as they are played, either from behind the heads of an excited moving crowd or from some precarious perch or vantage point .that gives him height. It was pleasing /to note that the Rugby officials had placed a few seats about the ground last week-end, but surely the Domain authorities could shoulder the responsibility of more permanent accommodation. Why not a Grandstand? Surely suah grounds as ours demand something for the benefit of the spectators: While the weather holds the present conditions may obtain without ;ccn*sla|int, but the inevitable rain will tell a totally different 'tale, leading at once to discouragement, apathy and the: loss of goodwill. If permanent revenue is wanted then it is necessary to expend money on facilities that will cultivate the crowd and provide a certain degree of comfort. A grand'stand will not only accommodate the onlookers, but it will overcome the most damn ing feature of all—the total absence of changing rooms for the players. Do the people of Whakatane realise that) their town is about the last of its size to tolerate such a disgraceful state of affairs'. Look at the position squarely. Lorry loads of players arrive on the field, furtively searching for some cover behind which to change into playing kit. Many use the cars, others the shrubs and trees—all this on a public Domain. The position is not merely farcical, it is an indictment on our intelligence and a slur on the controlling body. Again public which should belong to the A.B.C. of all local body administration are conspicuous by their absence —WHY! The amazing feature of the whole unhappy state of affairs, is the unabated enthusiasm of the players themselves. Teams are fielded' at full strength. Keen games are played and splendid material is cultivated for the forthcoming rep. fixtures —though the opinion of visiting teams as far as ground facilities are concerned would best remain unasked. An endeavour is now being made to raise sufficient money to instal flood lighting to assist night practices and training. This speaks of the truly sporting spirit, and' it is up to the body in control to do its bit towards assisting. Better sporting areas are the avowed objective of the Government. What is preventing Whakatane from participating, and attaining the standard already enjoyed by other centres.