PHYSICAL FITNESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19447, 1 October 1926, Page 16

PHYSICAL FITNESS.

TERRITORIALS AND CADET£.

THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION,

GREAT WORK IN PROGRESS

The military boxing tournament which is being held in the drill hall this week draws attention to the great work being performed by the Auckland Military Sports Association in • the interests of youth. By Saturday night 250 contestants—territorials and cadets—will have fought through to the finals, the average number of bouts each evening being about 45. This is something of an achievement. A night at the drill hall is enough to make old bones young again. Youth, extremely beautiful youth for the most part, is, seen at its best, and the spirit of the ring and of the shouting crowd of spectator-comrades, is worthy of the finest traditions of British sport. Every classi of boxing, from the hardhitting of territorials of some weight and almost mature muscular development, to the agile exhibitions of the cadet "paperweights" is to be seen. The boys are a joy to behold. Their three one-minute rounds usually find them extended at the finish, but not before they have displayed all the tricks of warring pupils or bantam roosters. Wearing large gloves it is quite impossible for them to do an injury to one another, but this is not a place where the crowd roars for blood. Certainly the honour of the company is always at stake but a grinning good humour saves contestants and spectators "alike from forgetting that it is all a game. Skill varies but here and there some nice work is done and some of the bouts cfi last evening were exceedingly thrilling. H.M. training ship Philomel is represented, and the embryo bluejackets one observes make it hard and "willing" as the Navy always does. Wide Scope of Activities.

The purpose of the association, is not, however, to manufacture fighters of the ring. Its aim is to promote the jphvsic.nl well-being not of the few, but of the many. And it is a work in which civilian*, take a prominent par:,. The management committee is composed mainly of civilians and although members are appointed only in their individual capacity, it is pleasant to find that -Mr. H. Frost, of Bugby footbaß, and Mr. ,J. Carlaw, of League football, are among the body of sportsmen who have combined to serve youth in this field.

Already a gymnasium has been provided in (he artillery shed and here men of most- of the military units are being trained upon the military gymnasium system, not to make them champions, but to fit them to become leaders in sport. Their gymnasium. work takes the place of drill and some remarkable results have been achieved in improving physique. It is intended to select, 20 men to be trained as sprinters, 20 as middle-distance runners and 20 as distance runners, 20 as javelin-throwers, 20 as hammerthrowers, 20 as shot-putters and 20 as discus-throwers who in turn will become the leaders in these branches of sport among their fellows.

Facilities in the Suburbs. As funds allow gymnasia will be established in the suburbs to enable the trainees to attend more easily. A boxing ring has been established at Kingsland and a Ponsonby team has been started. The association has in mind the physical training of IG-,000 boys and youths. One has but to-pause and consider the effect of interesting a, large portion of this number in athletics of one kind and another to realise, how important a work has been initiated.

The manner in which the present boxing tournament is being conducted is most commendable. The ring is probably second to none in New Zealand, and the organisation enables bout to follow bout like clockwork. The official fighting rig worn by practically.all the boys is an.attractive white uniform with liluc facings. One competitor wears a red and the other a; blue sash. White garbed seconds tend the lads between rounds and red and blue lights above the corners signal tbe result given by two judges/ Everything is done with the formality that would attend p. fight for the world's championship, all tending' to touch the imagination aQd stimulate the pride of the boys. The secretary of the association is Lieutenant, T. P. Laffev, who has a gift for .organisation and the kifid of enthusiasm which accomplishes great, . things. All friends of youth and lovers of sport will find in the association an opportunity for well-doing.