WOMEN ATHLETES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19730, 1 September 1927, Page 5

WOMEN ATHLETES.

Women and girls who, during the week, are engaged in shops snd offices, are to be found on Saturday afternoons indulge ing in those vigorous sports which only, a few years ago were regarded as th# exclusive resjpi of pien athletes, says an Eng* lish writer, Some of them are girls who have only just entered their teens; others are women of mora mature years. Many of them topk part in the championship meeting organised by the Women's Amateur Ath* , letie Association, at Reading, recently, v * and created some amazing records. Miss Phyllis Green, of the Olyrapjades, who broke her own world's record in tha high jump, clearing 5 feet 2i inches, is a girl with a pigtail dangling down her baqk, and she is studying for the ministry. Miss E. W. Edwards, of the Middlesex L.A.G., who beat the world's record in the 220 rsirds sprint, has an answer tQ.' those who look askance on women indulg* ing in such sports, alleging that it is harmful. "When J was at school," she said, '* I was supposed to have a weak heart, and was debarred from -taking part in any of the school sports. A friend of mine took up sprinting in 1923, and I joined her club. " The doctor agrees that my heart is now quite normal, and I feel not ths slightest strain after a race. To my mind, everything depends upon proper training. The girl who trams systematically," and docs not go in for intensive physical culture, will find no ill-effects from this form of sport." Major W. B. Marchant, treasurer of the Women's Amateur Athletic Association, said this class of sport for women now received practically universal medical approval, ' • * The average age of t hose who took part in the contests' would be twenty-seven or twenty-eight.