HOCKEY PLAYERS WELCOMED

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 18

HOCKEY PLAYERS WELCOMED

English Team’s Visit

GOVERNMENT RECEPTION YESTERDAY

“England leads the world in women’s hockey, and true to tradition you arc sweeping all before you, said the lion. P Fraser, at the Government reception at Wellington yesterday to the members of the English women’s hockey team, who have completed their South Island tour, and who meet Wellington to-day. Mr. Fraser conveyed an apology lor the 1 rime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, who was unable to be present, but expressed his greetings and best wishes. ‘■We sincerely trust that your tour will be enjoyable and successful in ever }.,F?" spect, even if we might hope for a jittlc variation of the results in the tests, said Mr. Fraser, amid laughter. New Zealand had much to offer from a scenic point ol view, and he hoped the tour would not be too strenuous to prevent them from seeing as much as possible of Nature s ■beauties. , , ~ Remarking that he understood there were nine teachers in the party, Mr. Fraser expressed the hope that they would have time to make contact with New Zealand schools and exchange ideas’. Mr. Fraser also stressed the importance of the team’s visit from an international fellowship standpoint as well as from that of the sport they represented. ±hat tnej were superior was admitted, but greater significance was attached to the spreading of goodwill and healthy rivalry. _ Also extending a welcome, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, referred to the splendid successes of the team. The closest call was in the match at Gore with Eastern Southland, the champion women’s team of the Dominion, which had established a wonderful record at Dominion tournaments. It was naturally pleasing to New Zealanders that their players were capable of extending such a great side as the visitors had proved to Ee. The tour had given the game an impetus, while such contacts among representatives of widely-separated sections of the British Empire were of immense value. The conduct of the team had been exemplary; in fact, said Mr. Parry, their example, along with that of the Indian hockey team, the Australian badminton. players, and the South African footballers last year, to mention just a few of the tours, revealed to what a high degree sportsmanship as well as good fellowship and conduct had been developed. Reference was also made by Mr. Parry to the attractions New Zealand had to offer to visitors, and he had been pleased to hear already that they had been greatly impressed. Replying, the manager’, Miss E. J. Warwick, said the members of the party had come to New Zealand mainly to play hockey, but had been so overwhelmed by the kindness of the people that they were reluctant to leave. They had had some excellent games, and victory had never been grudged them. Both on and off the field the team had had a wonderful time. “We are all very fond of our own country, but we think New Zealand is very lovely.” r The only regret she had was that hockey was not taught more extensively in the schools, said Miss Warwick. Properly played, it could be splendid exercise and recreation for girls. Also among those present at the reception were the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P C. Webb; the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones; Mr. J. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs; Mr. L. S. P. Butcher, organiser of the tour; Miss A. Yorston, president of the New Zealand Women’s Hockey Association; Miss E. Laycock, chairman of the executive; Mr. F. J. Twiss, ~deputy-chairman, and .Mr. W. A. Jameson, secretary of the National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation. Members of the team present were: — Misses M. M. Knott, M. C. Collins, B. Fairffieve, N. E. Judd, M. J. Lodge, J. L. O’Donoghue. E. Shelmerdine. J. F. Wright, J. E. Dowling, G. Huggins, I. I. Naylor, E. M. Rathbone. K. Thompson, B. W. West and O. M. Barnes. Outstanding Records. Outstanding among the players is the captain, Miss M. Al. Knott, who has been an English international for 13 years and has captained England for the past gij. Miss Knott has led English teams on tours in the United States and South Africa, as well as in Continental countries, including Germany. Another notable player is the vice-captain. Miss M. C. Collins, an international of four years’ standing, who has played in the United States and Germany. Two other internationals are Miss J. L. O’Donoghue and Miss M. J. Lodge, both of whom obtained their, “caps” last season. ’ Nearly all the other players have represented one of the five territories into which England is divided for hockey competitions. The manager-umpire, Miss Warwick, has had a long association with hockey, having visited Australia in 1927 and the Continent in .1934 with English teams.