GAMES FOR GIRLS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 October 1922, Page 2

GAMES FOR GIRLS.

; The committee formed in October, 1921, at the instance of the College .'of Preceptors to consider the effects of physica/i education on girls has ; drawn up its report, says -an''English exchange. In reply to questionaires, ] 629 replies were received, of which c 233 |! were from medical practitioners and ■ 158 from women medical students; 185 replies came from headmistresses. As to particular games, lawn tennis and netball received very general approval. Hockey, tho;ugh approved by the majority of mistresses and students, was regarded by some as suitable only for the older and stronger girls and by some _as too rough or streuuotts a game for girls. Cricket was very 'generally approved, but some doubted its utility as a gftme for girls, football met with less approval than any other game; of fifty-two schoolmistresses who expressed their views pn this game only two were in favour of it. With .regard to other sportg, swimming iyas generally approved. It was recognised, however, that this, is an exereisse entailing some strain on the heart, so that it is not suitable for all girls. The danger of heart strain was emphasised even more in regard to rowing, which, though approved by the majority of those who gave information on the subject, was thought by some to be too_ strenuous an exercise for girls in general. Racing in rowing was condemned by twenty-seven out of thirty-four women medical students. Cycling, provided it is in moderation,' and that the cycle is properly adjusted to the individual, met with a large measure af approval; but bysome it was thought to cause round shoulders, and some schoolmistresses pointed out that when girls have to Bycle too long a distance to s*chool the strain makes them unfit for mental arork. The medical members of the committee drew up a report in which ;hey say suitable physical education, neluding games and sports) is as gensrally beneficial fo girls as to boys, rhere is, however, need for discriminanon; individual girls may be unfit for >articular forms of exercise, and on his account medical examination as to ttness is generally desirable. Among he particular games which the comnittee had under consideration—tenus, netball, lacrosse, golf, hockey, ricket and football—only the last is onsidered unsuitable for girls.