WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 182, 30 April 1936, Page 8

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Proposed Banning of Reverse Stroke DECISION TO-DAY Opening of Season Next Saturday (.By Critic.) A subject <»£ vital importance to women's hockey in New Zealand, coming before to-day’s conference of delegates, is the elimination of the use of the reverse stroke. Will delegates see eye to eye on Illis all-important matter? Will the stroke be banned, from hockey in the Dominion? What reception will the subject receive? Will the delegates rush the idea of its elimination for the betterment of the game iu the Dominion? Hardly likely,, for it is sure to meet, with a mixed reception, and no doubt when the pros anil cons of the recommendation are thoroughly gone into the proposal will be defeated. To delete the reverse stroke is to slow up play generally and create a new problem for playing the ball on the "blind side.” The elimination of this stroke was raised when the New Zealand team was compelled to abide with the overseas ruling and drop the stroke from their play while in Australia. This apparently gave food for thought, for no sooner had the tourists arrived back in Wellington than in Press interviews the manager .propounded the disadvantage of playiing the reverse stroke in New Zealand. Tim elimination of the .stroke might certainly be of advantage to New Zealand teams visiting overseas, but would its banning in New Zealand be to the advantage of the game here? _ _ ' There is no questioning the iaet that the reverse stroke is a constituent.part of hockey in this country, and mainly responsible for the spectacular progress or the game. If the banning of the stroke should come into force, then we need not expect bright hockey in its absence, which would do' more harm Ilian good to the sport. . , A common cause of stoppages in play is the obstruction caused by players turning on the ball to avoid the reverse.stroke; arid, on the other hand, the ability of a player to use the reverse stroke adeptly can make a great deal of difference to the speed and attractiveness of hockey. The reverse stroke is undoubtedly one <n the most spectacular in the general run of play, and the general consensus of opinion is that there will be strong opposition to its elimination. Hints For Umpiring. Everyone appreciates to the full the unselfish service that the umpires render women’s hockey in Wellington each season, and must realise the impossibility of getting anywhere without good umpiring. With the 193 G season on the eve of opening, umpiring hints might be of value at this stage. ' . The umpire’s qualifications are few. He needs a quick eye, determination, and a thorough knowledge of the rules. Let him- commit the rules and penalties to memory so that he can name chapter and verse without reference to the book of rules that he should always carry with him. A sceptical player anight sometimes refuse to be convinced until she sees it in print. As well as the letter, there is the spirit of the rules. The determined stickler for the letter never makes a good umpire. He spoils the game and annoys the players. The umpire needs a quick eye, because

the game is quick, and determination, because his decisions must be given on the instant. He exists simply and solely in the interests of the players and the game. He must not parade his authority, be fussy or eccentric, run about excitedly, getting iu the way of players, nor pull up the game for every little irregularity. While he is warned against overwhistling, he must not go to the other extreme, for lax umpiring is responsible for much of the bad hoekey played. He must be very firm and ignore the frowns and grumbles of players. They will soon mend their ways and. manners. He must make up his mind himself; must pot attempt to draw' inspiration from the faces of players. That is a dreadful weakness which fortunately is not common in Wellington. His discretionary powers are an umpire’s chief difileulties. A clause in all rule books says he “shall refrain from putting the provision of any rule into effect in eases where lie is satisfied that, by enforcing it he would be giving an advantage to the offending side.”. ’There is little difficulty when the attacking side is the offender. It is nearly always best to blow the whistle then. The difficulty is when the defending team are the offenders. For example, a defending back gives “sticks” in the circle without clearing. The umpire must decide in a moment whether it is more to the advantage of the attackers to be awarded a penalty corner or to continue their attack without interruption. IE he refrains from sounding his whistle and the attackers S’core a goal, he feels that his abstinence lias been justified. Players like the ■wliistle to be blown right on top of the infringement, but when the umpire must see what is likely to be the result of infringements such ns that mentioned, a slight pause before tlie blasting of the whistle is imperative. Season Opening on Saturday.

Saturday next will see the opening of the Wellington Women’s Hockey Association’s 1930 competitions, and from what can be gathered the prospects for a successful season’s sport are bright. Some dissatisfaction is felt at the decision of the association in opening the season without first holding a general practice day, and with the exception of one or two cases, the personnel of teams will be meeting on tlie field of play for the first occasion next Saturday. In the senior divisions clubs have undergone a number of changes in the personnel of teams, and several new faces to followers of senior hockey, including promoted juniors, will be seen out this season. No Reply front Fiji.

Though an invitation was sent by the New Zealand Women’s Hockey .Association to the Fiji Women’s Association to send a team to tour the Dominion this year, no reply has yet been received, though a definite answer was promised by April 20, records the annua] report of the'.New Zealand association. Unless word has been received since the annual report was circulated to affiliated associations, no headway can be .the project.

Hockey in Schools. A matter, to come before to-day’s conference qf delegates of affiliated associations to the New Zealand association, and one which should meet with approval, ia the establishing of the game in the primary schools. SATURDAY’S FIXTURES Following are the fixtures, grounds and umpires for the opening matches of the championships under tlie auspices of the Wellington Women’s Hockey, Association on Saturday next: — Senior A. Varsitv v. Hula. Newtown No. 1. 3 p.m., H. Tahiwi and L. Harris; C.O.G. v. T.O.G. 1. Kilbirnie No. 1, 3 p.m., A. Roxburgh; Training College v. Swifts, KHblrnio No. 1,2 p.m., A. Roxburgh; Toa V. Poneke, Hospital No. J, 3 p.m., S. Todd

and B. Brennan: T.O.G. 2 v. Hutt United, Woburn No. 1, 3 p.m., S. Brugli. K Senior B. Upper Hutt v. Wenerei, Upper Hutt No. 1. 2.30 p.m.. Mr. Hooper; St. Joseph v. Wesley, Newtown No. 2. 3 p.m., JR. J. Lloyd and K. Guthrie; T.O.G. v. Hutt, Woburn No. 2. 3 p.m., A. J. Rose: Poneke v. Hospital, Hospital No. 1,2 p.m., S. Todd arid 11. Brennan. Junior. Kurorl V. T.0.G., Karori No. 1, 3 p.m., C. Lloyd; C.O.G. v. Varsity, Newtown No. T, 2 p.hi., H. Tahiwi and L. Harris; Hula v. Swifts. Newtown No. 2,2 p.m., R. J. Lloyd and K. Guthrie; Karori W. v. Hutt. Karori No. 1,2 p.m., C. Lloyd; Technical, a bye. Intermediate. Petone Technical v. Hutt, Petone No. I, 3 p.m.. Miss Woodfield; Petone T.0.G., v. T.0.G., Woburn No. 1. 2 p.m., S. Brugh and A. J. Ross; Y.W.C.A., a bye. Thirds. Hula v. Petone Technical, Petone No. 1, 2 p.m.. Miss Woodfield; St. Joseph v. Technical, Taaera No, 1,2 p.m., R. Brown; T.0.G., a bye. Teams that have a bye may use Nairn ■Street, on Saturday for practice.