Mew’s Hockey

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 247, 16 July 1935, Page 14

Mew’s Hockey

NEW ZEALAND TEAM FOR THIRD TEST: A NEW FORWARD LINE

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Watihana.)

The 13 players who have been invited to report at Auckland for training for the third test include all of the second test eleven except 0. B. Dey (Otago), who played at right wing. The three new names are N. Bowden (Canterbury), D. McCormick (Canterbury) and S. Robertson (Auckland). The last named is an ex-Grammar School player of outstanding ability. The two AVellington men, E. G. McLeod, who was captain of the AVellington representatives and of both New Zealand test teams, and C. Moore, the goalkeeper, will leave for Auckland by the Limited to-morrow night. Filin of Second Test. Mr. S. G. Holland, one of the three New Zealand selectors, hits wired the AVellington Hockey Association for the films of the second test. All India v. New Zealand, which were taken on behalf of the association. The films are to be screened in Auckland this week for coaching the New Zealand team for the third test at Eden Park next Saturday. Another instance of the utility of the motion picture in education.

Breaches Galore. An extraordinary feature ot the AU India v. Auckland match last Saturday, was the large number of breaches of the rules, for which the visitors were pulled up. The penalties, including short corners, which the Indians incurred, totalled no fewer than 37. As against this Auckland’s penalised infringements amounted only to seven. AVhat accounts for the difference? AVere the Indians nettled and so became careless? Have they a different idea of the rules? Or what.

Schools Sub-Association. The special committee set up by the AVellington Hockey Association to report on schools hockey has prepared its findings. which will be submitted to, the next meeting of the executive on AAednesday night.

Loss to AV.H A. Eexcutive. Mr Ron Clarke, honorary secretary ot the AVesley Club and a member of the AVellington Hockey Association executive, has taken up a position in New Plymouth. AVellington has lost a very faithful and enthusiastic club officer and executive delegate in Mr. Clarke, who has given invaluable service on the grounds committee in addition to his other work for hockey. Representative Games. A heavy programme ot representative games lies' ahead of Wellington hockey. It is as follows:—v. Napier Sub-Association (August 3) ; v. Hawke’s Bay (August 3) ; v. Auckland for challenge shield (datesnot fixed); v. Motueka (August 3); v. Nelson (August 5) ; v. Ilorowhenua (date not fixed) ; v. Auckland, return match at Wei; limgton (date not fixed) ; v. Taranaki (date not fixed). For Better Hockey (By Norman R. Jacobsen.) The quality of a game versus the quantity of goals. Should hockey authori-

ties .in New Zealand follow the English practice and abandon championship points? If there is one aspect of play which merits the title of "game,” it is the quality of team and inter-team cooperation. The quantity of goals scored is really not the main attribute of the game but rather the gamble or element of chance that is often beyond human skill to control. For example one cricket team wins the toss—this is the first gamble—and then plays on a perfect wicket, while the opposing side finds that rain and sun —beyond its control —have given them a sticky drying wicket—this is another gamble. Another gamble is the type of youth or manhood who are available for the particular club. Sometimes the talent at'hand is superb, at other times ordinary. So here we see luck again entering into the game. If we recognise this, we see that in too many cases it is a false conceit that leads to our boasting of a victory and a championship ; very often it is good luck rather than good play that brings victory. But there is one thing less inconstant as a standard of values for all—independent of varying individual prowess and independent of the elements of sun, wind, sickness and accident—and that is the quality of our play. If this i.s up to the right standard no team is ever defeated, and its reputation lives on and on. long after the bubble reputation of superiority in quantity of goals has disappeared.

Then, it seems that it is the quality of sportsmanship—which demands the maximum skill and team work possible—that determines real success or failure in games. Bodyline bowling gives but a Pyrrhic victory. Realising this and profiting from its experience in other games, the hockey authorities in England have banished trophies for mere quantitative success in games. The quality of a team’s play is felt by all. but it is difficult to assess: and the idea should 'be to make the supreme pleasure of “playing the game” whether hookey. Rugby, cricket or Soccer, be its own goal and its own reward. “The race is in the running.” This will prove more than sufficient and remove the discordant element of championship points, where wins measured in goals are the only test. That was more in keeping with the competitive philosophy of the nineteenth century. The twentieth century has given rise to a newer philosophy—a more social one, where “the game’s the thing.” and its brotherhood binds sportsmen all the world over into one body, independent of race, creed caste or colour.' Let us therefore, abandon championship points which have too much of the element of gamble tu them and demand more of the game and the oualitv of team work and good fellowship. If this policy is adonted in hockey circles in New Zealand, then will hockey as n game be a national asset, and a marvellous socialising demerit according to the best ideals of a real democracy.