Kindergarten Of Rugby

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28542, 22 March 1958, Page 5

Kindergarten Of Rugby

An attempt was made at last year’s annual meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union’s junior advisory board to institute a Rugby kindergarten on a provincial basis for small boys learning the game, but the move was unsuccessful. „ Next Tuesday evening, the board will hold its annual meeting and it is to be hoped that if the matter is again raised, delegates will see the wisdom of providing the Rugby toddlers with a thorough ground-; ing in the game before they begin competitive football. » The arguments raised in favour of such a kindergarten last year apply this year. It was contended then that a minimum weight limit of 4st 71b should be placed on boys entered in the under sst competition. It was felt by some members that boys weighing 4st were unable to stand up to the play of boys of just' under sst and that having little knowledge of the game these light players lost heart and went over to less robust sports. Another reason which favours the introduction of such a training school is the large number of teams entering the under sst grade. In 1956, 29 teams were entered, last year there were 38 and it would not be surprising to find that this last figure will be exceeded this year. The grade, with so many teams, has become unwieldy, with some clubs entering two and three teams in each section of the grade. Many of the players in the 38 teams of last year knew nothing of the game or what they were to do.