HOCKEY AT GREYMOUTH

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 April 1934, Page 8

HOCKEY AT GREYMOUTH

[TO THE EDITOR.] Sir, —As a recent arrival in this town I was very much surprised to learn that the game of hockey, once so strong here, had now become practically non-existent. Hockey is a game that has advanced tremendously of late years in New Zealand. It is well established throughout the North Island and in practically every town in the South Island. Why not here in Greymouth? Nelson, Marlborough and Westport, all have their teams, while Canterbury is the veritable home of hockey in New Zealand. And Greymouth, surrounded by such strongholds of the game, still lacks the enthusiasm to re-establish the game! I well remember seeing the splendid performance put up by the West Coast ladies’ team at the “K” cup tournament a few years ago, and it is almost incredible that such a strong combination of playei*fe, the pick of the West Coast teams, should have allowed the game to fade into insignificance. Men’s hockey too, had a very good reputation several years ago, and it is deplorable that it should now be valueless. There must be numerous old players, ladies and men, who would be pleased to see the game firmly established again. Could not some of them convene a meeting to consider (lie reformation of the West Coast Hockey Association? Furthermore, there are probably numerous others, enthusiastic enough, but now unable to take an active part, who have hockey sticks they would be willing to sell cheaply or even give, in an effort to help the game to take on. Then when once the game has been started I am sure that a match could be arranged with a. Canterbury team, that would do much to further the interests of hockey. Now is the time for urgent action to he taken before other sports start their seasons in earnest. 1 therefore commend this scheme to some of the old players, and hope that they will be sufficiently interested to make a concerted effort to revive once more the good old game of hockey.—l am etc., HOCKEY STICK.