RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30347, 24 January 1964, Page 15

RANDOM REMINDER

FIRST THINGS LAST

No doubt the many thousands of new New Zealanders who follow the progress of the English soccer leagues with the closest attention, and who are the first to telephone if their results are not published are horrified at the news that teams of arum-major-ettes are being formed in various parts of England to attract larger soccer crowds. Recently the Maids of Kent gave a display before the match between Chelsea and Sheffield United. Next it will be dog-racing at

Lord’s, aqua-ballets at Henley, marathon twists at Twickenham. But the facts must be faced. Unless it was thought the girls would attract more spectators, they would not have been allowed to start; and in New Zealand, something similar may occur, before long, to popularise club and interprovincial matches. There are always plenty of people to see the internationals, and Ranfurly Shield matches, but otherwise, some help is needed.

This may seem unlikely

in a land traditionally devoted to Rugby football. But the growing discontent with the standard of play, the lineouts and the spoiling, could conceivably lead to a demand for other sorts of entertainment There is a hard core of support already for the formation of drum majorette teams in New Zealand Rugby; and it is not mere cynicism to suggest that if Rugby follows its present path much longer, the drum majorettes will be on at 3 p.m., with the Rugby as the preliminary.