WOMEN'S HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 26, 30 July 1938, Page 23

WOMEN'S HOCKEY

DOMINION TOURNEY

GISBORNE THE VENUE

(By "Corner.")

The departure of the All-England women's hockey team from Wellington, brings the next big event of the season—the annual Dominion tournament —a step closer. This year it is being held at Gisborne, about August 27, under the jurisdiction of the Poverty Bay Association. The reasons for allocating the venue of this important

engagement to Gisborne was chieriy because the Poverty Eay Association did not figure at all in the English tour, and also this year is the North Island's turn to have the tournament. Wellington, following the practice of past years, will be sending one team, and high hopes have been expressed, mainly on account of the showing put up by Wellington against the English team, that this province will be this year's winners. It is too early yet to attempt any prognostication of the personnel of the side, but it is expected that an announcement will be made at a meeting of the association on Monday week. Several club players- have been prominent in their matches lately, and it would not be surprising if some changes are made in the team which played the English tourists on July 9.

After the Fijian tour had concluded in 1936 a marked effect on play was seen at the tournament. The Fijian tourists did not have a strong side on their New Zealand tour, and consequently New Zealand players were not able to obtain much of a lesson from their play. The English team.

which has recently left this country, was, on the other hand, of such a high calibre that it clearly showed the definite faults in the New Zealand teamsplay. What has been ' learned from them in positional play, passing, marking, and defence should be applied in the matches at Gisborne so -that women's hockey supporters should be able to look forward to witnessing some sparkling displays next month. Players' Uniforms. Considerable discussion ha' takfe** place at various times in New Zealand on the best type of uniform that is suitable for women hockey players. It is interesting to note the opinion prevailing among players in England. At the annual general meeting of the All-England Women's Hockey Association in London on June 11, the matter was fully argued. Goalkeepers were the players chiefly concerned, and they wished to obtain permission in the cause of warmth and comfort, to wear long trousers. The* proposal was supported by the northern and southern counties and by delegates from the Hertfordshire, Kent, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire County Associations. "A change is needed," said one official." "The goalkeepers are allowed to wear trousers abroad, and look very neat and cosy, and I think it would add to English players' enjoyment and comfort. •■'".'■" "One has only to watch a goalkeeper on a chilly, windy day, to see the discomfort of a tunic or short, divided skirt." "Now that bare knees are" allowed with divided skirts, a goalkeeper is not only chilly but often very uncomfortable, with straps * of the pads chafing the legs. We will welcome tlie change," said an ex-international goalkeeper. The trousers will be tailored on similar lines to those worn by women golfers, iand the cut and shape of the trousers will hiave to be passed by the official "dress censor" who has the task of examining divided-skirt uniforms

before they are adopted by affiliated clubs. ' FIJI CAPTAIN MARRIED. Those players and supporters who were familiar with members of the 1936. Fijian touring team will be interested to learn that the captain of the team, Miss H..'Sutherland, was married recently. It is expected that she will pay a visit to New Zealand in the near future. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP TABLES. The championship tables of ihe senior A and senior B grades are as follows:—: SENIOB A. Ch. P. W. X. D. Pts. T.O.G. 1 9 7 1 1 15 C.O.G 8 7 — 1 15 Hutt United 86 2 — 8 Poneke 9 5 4 — 10 T.O.G. II ............... 8 2 5 1 5 Hutt Valley ............ 8 2 5" 1 '■ 4 Training College ...... 5 —• 5 — — University 7 — 7 — SENIOR B. , Ch. P. •W. L. D. Pts. St. Jbseph's ' 7" 7 — — 14 C.O.G 8 7 1 — 14 Karori West 8 4 2 2 10 Upper Hutt ........... 8421 9 P.T.O.G 8 3 4 1 7 Hospital 7 3 5 — 4 T.O.G 6 2 4—4 Wenerei 7 — 7 — —