THE RUGBY BOOM.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 167, 24 July 1907, Page 6

THE RUGBY BOOM.

Remarkable Expansion. There has never been such a boom in Rugby throughout the world as exists now, says the Sydney Morning Herald of July 10th. When it is considered that last Saturday in Sydney and its suburbs alone fully 7000 young men were actually engaged in Rugby, and that despite the bitterly com wind tens of thousands more were onlookers at the various games, it must be acknowledged that the sport is a national one. The men in the position to speak from inner knowledge regarding the game in this country are Messrs W. W. Hill, seoretary of the New South Wales Rugby Union; and W. J. Howe, secretary of the Metropolitan Union; who yesterday explained the last developments as follows:— "There is a vast amount of interest being exhibited in Rugby throughout the British-speaking dominions," said Mr Hill. "But not only one oan look with some interest on the red links of Empire from a Rugby point of view, the game is becoming an international as well as a national one. In France they have discovered the virtue of Rugby, and our men, who are to leave here in September, 1908, for England, will have a game in Paris, ana also play matches on the American oontinent. California is reaohing out. Messrs Lanigan and Presly, from the Leland-Stanford University, are now the guests of our Union, while they are studying our Rugby methods . It is within the range of probability, as well as possibility, that New Zealand, South Africa, America, England and Australia may all be engaged in Rugby trials in one season in Sydney before many years are past. As for New South Wales, we have established Rugby at three of our southern border towns—Albury, Hot/long and Oorowa. The New South Wales Rugby Union controls 84 branch unions, averaging 12 clubs in each union. The Metropolitan Union is, of .course* the strongest, and Mr Howe will tell you about that." "The Newcastle Union comes next to the metropolitan in point of number of clubs," said Mr Howe. "The Metropolitan link* together 11 first grade, 19 second grade, and 18 borough teams, and has junior unions in many districts. All the gnat schools and colleges are playing ugby, and 17 or 18 of the Public schools and many qf the Roman Catholic schools are also playing it. Other Rugby players are engaged under the flag of the city and Suburban body. These are all old college boys and will come under the union next year. "The general prospects of the game," added Mr Howe, "are brighter than ever they woto. It would be impossible to make an exact estimate of the number of men playing Rugby throughout New South Wales alone last week. It must have been over 15,000. In Newcastle they have four grades playing on Saturday, a two-grade Wednesday competition, and they have their own ground in the heart of the oity, nd assets totalling £1052. We have almost completed the purchase of the Epping ground, and last year our credit balance was £2399. Last year we paid away £400 for medical attendance, etc, £300 to associated clubs for training quarters, and £800 to the schools. "Rugby has spread out to Oobar in the west, ,, said Mr Hill, "and has lately been started a t Broken Hill. It reaches up to the uortheran border by river, and Queensland is a great State for Rugby, and is producing players of fine quality. Our fund are being used to promote the game in the various States and internationally, as well as in the country districts. We even undertake a little missionary work-—in a Rugby sensein centres devoted to"other games,"