The Hockey Field

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 70, 19 September 1936, Page 23

The Hockey Field

(By "Sticks.")

SUMMER PLAY SUGGESTED WHAT ABOUT OTHER SPORTS? A suggestion has been made to the Wellington Hockey-Asso-ciation that summer play be introduced. This is as far as the matter has gone, and unless unexpected enthusiasm is shown it is not likely to go any further. Although summer hockey has never been seriously attempted in New Zealand, consideration of the position indicates that the disadvantages are greater than the advantages. Hockey has always been regarded as a winter, game, due to the fact that it is the fastest ball game played and therefore is unsuited to the' hot weather.

It might be claimed that- hockey in I the summer, played in short spells, would be no more tiring ■ than the; winter game of 35-minute ,spells, but while this may be so there is the fact that difficulty would be experienced in getting teams together on account of the numerous counter-attractions. During the winter season, hockey l players are assured of sufficient play to occupy the whole of an afternoon, but in the summer, with a game of, say, fifteen-minute spells, many players would probably consider the afternoon wasted, particularly in view of the fact ,that the afternoons are much longer.

Summer hockey might tend to keep interest in the game alive, but on the .other hand players might become tired of it and become "stale'.' by the time winter arrives. The training resulting from summer play would be of assistance, but it must be remembered that the majority of players indulge dn typical summer sports and keep fit by exercising on the terfnis court, cricket field, in the breakers, or rowing on the harbour. The very fact that summer offers such a wide variety of sport induces young men to keep fit, and thus removes the necessity for summer hockey as a means of training. .

' By the same token it might be suggested that Association football or basketball be played in the summer months for the benefit of the exceptional player who does not participate in summer sports, but it is difficult to imagine the controlling organisations deciding in this direction.

WOMEN'S HOCKEY END-OF-SEASON RALLY ST. JOSEPH'S CLUB EVENTS OVERSEAS (By "Circle.") As is the custom of several of the Wellington clubs as the; season nears its end, the St. Joseph's Club last Saturday held its annual end-of-seasbn rally, the function being a great success. In the afternoon the senior B team (runners-up in the senior B championship), played the junior team (winners of the third grade champion-

ship), at Kilbirnie, the match bemg won by the seniors by 2 goals to 1 after. a close game.

On Saturday evening tho club held its annual dance in the Assembly Hall, Brougham Street, a large attendance being present. On Sunday evening the club met for the last time this season, at a Sinner in honour of the third grade team, the members of which were presented with miniature medals attached to the club colours (orange and white). A close friend of the cjub donated two prizes to the most improved junior forward (Miss Grace Atley) and the most improved junior defender (Miss Bubbles Smith). Medals were also presented to seven members of the club who gained representative honours, Misses Frances Cunningham (captain of> the third grade team), Grace Atley, Pat Nixon, Anna Mtfo. Mary Baillie (captain of the .senior B team), Edna Nunns, and Agnes Ferric

Two prizes were given' to the senior B team, Miss Maisie Rasmusscn receiving one for the most improved player, Miss Adele Brookie, the most consistent player, receiving the other. Congratulations were extended to Misses Phil..and Joan Bleakley, who were picked for the representative trials, but unfortunately were not successful in being! picked for the team. " ' The appreciation of the club of the services' of Mr. W. Dougall, who coached the teams so well during the season, was expressed in a useful gift presented to him by the president of the club, the Rev. Father Fletcher 1 .

Wellington's Goals. The distinction of netting nine of Wellington's fifteen goals scored at the

New Zealand" tournament at Blenheim was achieved by Mrs. D. Cleverley, of Hutt United. Mrs. Cleverley was at the top of her form in Blenheim, and gave a wonderful display throughout, It may be recalled that in the final competition game between College Old Girls and Hutt United Mrs. Cleverley gave one of the most brilliant exhibitions of • forward _ play of the season. Miss Morris; scored • three goals, Miss Dunce two, and Miss Riley one. St. Joseph's to Travel. The "St. Joseph's Club has been granted permission to send a team to Paraparaumu on September 26. Tribute to' Selector. A tribute to the selector (Mr.' R. Adams) was paid by Mr. J. C. Cusack, president of'the association, at the last meeting. "In all my experience," said Mr. Cusack, "I have never handled a better team." One and all had made up their minds to give of their best, and had ,put everything they knew into the games. Mr. Adams had been faced with many difficulties, but in spite of these' he had picked one of the best teams that had ever left Wellington. Mr. Cusack said that if possible the teams in future should be chosen three weeks prior ,to the tournament. Clubs Make Donations. '■ Karori West has donated a guinea to association funds, and Poneke has made a donation of 15s 6d. Art Union Proceeds. The proceeds of the art union conducted in aid of association funds are approximately £6O.

Costly Tournament. When the Australian women's hockey tournament concluded in Sydney last Saturday over £4OOO had been spent in bringing about a successful result. This sum represents rail and boat fares, accommodation, uniforms,' and West Australians £35 to £4O per head to play, the South Australians and Tasmanians £2O, and Victorians and 9ueenslanders £ls per head. In true amateur spirit, each player found her own expenses without thought of reward, for there is no reward .for anyone—not even a pennant for the premier State. Further, the 17 players selected to represent Australia at the international tournament at Philadelphia, America, next month, have to find £l6O each. Raffle Winner. The winner of a lemon . jumper which was raffled at the St Joseph's Club dinner was Miss p. Hutton; Lower Hutt. Australians En Route. As well as competing in the International tournament at Philadelphia the Australian team which passed through Auckland at the beginning of the week ,en route to America will play at Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Madison, Wisconsin. At the tournament they will meet teams from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and South Africa, So that the players may maintain their physical fitness, they are continuing strict training on board ship and, with the captain's bridge at their disposal at seven o'clock in the morning, they have a regular period of physical culture exercises. Hockey, with the balls covered with crocheted string, also forms' an important part of the training. Fourteen matches are expected to be played oir the tour, including one at Suva, when they will meet a Fijian women's team. The result of this match should be of interest in view of the recent tour of New Zealand by the Fijian players. Accompanying the players are two delegates to the International Hockey Conference at Philadelphia, Miss M. Fox, of Tasmania.-principal of a ladies' college at Launceston, and Miss A. C. Magarey,.well' known as a social service worker, in South Australia. Mrs. Davy, manager of the team, said that the players should have a very good chance of success. Most of them had played for about ten years throughout their high school and university training. Hockey was also one of the most popular games with, women's colleges in America and the Australian team expected to ' meet some experienced playert.