STRICT RULES

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 288, 5 December 1936, Page 10

STRICT RULES

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S TEAM BAN ON COCKTAILS ■ CRICKET TOUR TO BRITAIN Cocktails have been placed upon the banned list for the team of Australian women cricketers which ' will tour England next year. A players’ agreement has been drawn up with the following stipulations: —

No drinking, smoking or gambling. Husbands, relatives or friends of players shall not accompany the team. No member of the team shall visit the top deck after dinner. Members of the team to retire by 10 p.m. . Physical drill on board ship at 7.15 a.m. every day except Sunday. One hour rest every afternoon. The team shall take part in all deck games. If satisfactory arrangements are made the Australian team will accept the invitation to play a Dutch eleven in Holland after the Coronation and before the English tour officially begins on June 2. The list of equipment and clothing, which each player selected for the tour will be required to include in her wardrobe, contains 39 different articles which' vary from actual cricket dress to skipping ropes, hot water bottles, evening dresses and bathing suits, The rigid discipline indicated in the list of “must nots” caused a little amusement; but this is what the manageress (Mrs. Olive Peatfield), who has just been appointed says about it:—

.“Clauses referring to drinking,in the women cricketers’ contract have not been inserted because of any fear that the girls will not conduct themselves .in a manner worthy of representatives of Australia.

“The clauses are there to protect the girls and to guide their hostess. “Take the clause forbidding drinking. The girls will be entertained extensively abroad, and in these days, when cocktail parties are the rule, it may prove difficult for a player to accept a drink at the home of one hostess and refuse it at another.

“The clause simply defends the girl from having to make the decision, and prevents hostesses offending. “The clause forbidding gambling will have a similar effect should a player be invited to a bridge party, and then find that her hostesses are playing for stakes. “The allowance for the team is only 15s a- week while in England. Therefore, they cannot afford to lose at cards.

“Eariy retirement is simply a commonsense training rule, and it is not in the best interests of the team to allow others to travel with the actual members.”