GIRLS AND RUGBY.

Northern Advocate, 16 July 1921, Page 6

GIRLS AND RUGBY.

ADVERSE MEDICAL OPINION

Tihe question whether Rugby football is a suitable or de-sir able game for girfe to participate in prompted 'by the .formation of a girls' Rug'by teani in Wellington and by a tugge*tion for t!he formation of a leant in Christchureh. was ai-ked medical men by a "Star" reporter. In each case the

"Star" reporter. In every case the answer wa s "No." Among- medical men there is a strong' opinion that if gMi'j: take up Rugby football, ever moderately it will prove prejudicial tc their future healtih. Several of the doctors, while -being strongly opposed to the girls playing Rugby, view "Soccer'" with less disfavour, although tihey all stated they could rot honestly recommend any girl to take up even the latter game.

When the question wa ? put to Dr. W". H Simpson, he answere I with an emphatic "No."' "Football for girls,'' he added, "Would prove deleterious .from both the physical and temperamental standpoint. Women were not intended to take part in such a rough, if manly ( 'game as football; they are not '-built for it and only a certain type are likely to be attracted by the idea. Running is good for women, and so is plenty of healthy exercise, ;buit I must draw the line at football The scrum work and the tackling alone are too dangerous for women, and however much they attempt to modify the game, there will always remain a great deal of risk."

Dr Simpson explained that the element of risk caused by the 'liability of women to fall*. Their bones were softer than men's bones, they were fatter and less muscular, and not as stable on their feet as men, thus .rendering' them very susceptible to risk. If a man suffered injury on the football field he re-

covered fairly quickly but this would i v ot be so with women. The injuries they migiht get would in many cases have a most (harmful effect, not only at the time, but in later years. It was against the interests of their ihealth for women to indulge in such a dangerous recreation. A .somewhat si'niiuar opinion was expressed iby Dr. who characterised as ridiculous any suggestion that girls should play Rugby football "I certainly cannot countenance football as a game for girls under any conditions.," added Dr. W.hetter. '-'They are simply not built for playing football. Liet tlhem play games where there is no tackling ior serum work, and "o danger of heavy falls. But the very last game they should play is Rugby football."

"There are a lot of daring gir is who probably look upon Rugby as a sort 0;f adventure j and tliajt probably accounts ,for their desire to take it up in Ghristchunch," Dr. Orchard said. He did not 1 have any strong objeetjonis to Soccer, because wi!bh M there was not the same risk" of bodily iniui'y, but -at the same ti'me Ihe did not like the 'idea, of girig plaving football. Anatomicailly they would be. taking & risk which wais mot justified, and would be liable to feel the bad effedts ,in later years. Girfis had smaller ibo"es and were more fragile. Thuisi they ran the risk of broken bones, sprained ankles, ;and more serioug stilly the danger of internal injury. Medicail opinion must be all •against the participation of gife in Rugby .football.

Another doctor said that, while 'there was no doubt that girl s were inndh improved iby outdoor exercise, the r'iik of injury with Rugby was too for girls, to take it up. I'-ugby football .foe girils wh- against their ibest and while there WMe , s ° mairy otlher games open for g'irl s to take up there was no need lor them to participate in any game v-hich might ,bring about troubles from which they would suffer in later year?. He certainly wouild not advise a'ny girl ,to play Rugby.