OVER THE AIR

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 93, 21 April 1930, Page 7

OVER THE AIR

■. INTEREST IN SPORT

An interesting communication has been received by Mr. G. "P. Aldridge, of "Wellington, from New South Wales regarding the broadcasting of sporting events, and it is claimed by the writer that the broadcast' descriptions stimu-. late, interest in sport. The writer (Mr. L. M'Donald) states: "You may bo surprised to have' a letter from so far afield as Newcastle, but I am very interested in tlie attitude you have taken to induce the New Zealand Rugby;" Union to allow, a broadcast .of Test matches. lam pleased to say that I have on .two " occasions' 'enjoyed th» broadcast descriptions of . the fights between Donovan and Doblo and Dono- > van and Sarron. Although "-I am an old Karon resident, I foel that, although resident hero for twenty-seven years, I .have not forgotten the old home. I may, therefore, be' excused for 'butting into' your business; In. Australia there is hardly an event of any importance in sporting that is not broadcast, and during the recent Test cricket matches one newspaper erected a model playing field and by means of a combination of- electricity and wireless one could get an accurate- description of: every ball bowled. In thi.' instance the 'ball was of steel, magnetically operated so that it would traverse the pitch and roll to the'point on th« ground to which it was hit. The players were represented by > small discs, and' they went through the- same* movements as if they were- the living players. This wonderful introduction did not prevent Sydney having record crowds at the-, Test match hold here, notwithstanding that this attraction-had to' be passed by 75 per cent., of the crowd. To crowa all, it was a frco show '.'My own experience as'to the value of broadcasting was that of probably thousands. Some three years ago 3LO commenced' to- broadcast wrestling, bouts, and I tuned in one night for curiosity. At the same time I didl not know the difference between a face bar and a saloon bar, but the description was so vivid that I decided to wait'until wrestling was commenced iv' Sydney. I gathered from the description the meaning of many holds, so that when, wrestling did start in Newcastle and Sydney I travelled over 100 miles to see some of the bouts. Now, if,my interest had not .been whetted in first instance.l would not now be ,the wrestling enthusiast that I am. My interest in tennis was also sharpened by the broadcast description of the ■ matches between" Borotra, Brugnon, and company against our champions. You will see that I feel that it is the rule rather than the exception thatbroadcast descriptions have a definite value in. stimulating interest in sport. No enthusiast will stay away from a Test match if he can possibly attend, so that really the broadcast description is of immense value in keeping the sport in popular demand* with those who, by rca i of physical disability or distance arc unable personally to be present. Kia Ora."