ATHLETIC WOMANHOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19781, 31 October 1927, Page 6

ATHLETIC WOMANHOOD.

&N IMPKESSIVE DISPLAY. COLOUR IN SPORTS ARENA. BLANDFORD PARK CONTESTS. SPECTACULAR GATHERING. The field of sport i 3 a brighter place as ft result of the feminine invasion. Speed is the compelling urge with the male athlete. To this end all else is sacrificed. Garbed in the bare essentials—a plain, white singlet, perhaps edged with black, short, flimsy running trousers, socks Tolled to the ankle, and spiked shoes—he takes the track. There is glamour in the sight of trained athletes, flashing from the mark at the crack of the pistol, exerting every nerve and muscle, breasting the tape with arms outstretched, inches only between first and last. But it is the beautv of action rather than of colour that thrills the watcher. The girl athlete is no whit less keen; physical fitness she courts no less assiduously. But she has as well an ey<? for picturesque effect. The change from street and office attire to sports garb would be shorn of its charm if it meant sacrifice of colour. As far as the Auckland girl athlete is concerned, however, efficiency and colour have been happily blended. Were proof needed, the annual sports of the Auckland Girls' Athletic Association at Blandford Park on Saturday would have supplied it. There 400 girls, representing 21 organisations, competed in a programme of varied events, .calling for tieetness of foot, sure--11 ess of eye, and, above all, for teamjrork, to which all else was subordinated. Efficiency in Physical Drill. Launched just over a year ago to provide a friendly testing-ground for girls not catered for by the Inter-house Girls Sports Association, the youug organisation has developed rapidly, and, to all outward evidence, soundly and well. Health and recreation are placed in the forefront of the association's aims. The sports day is but an incident in the year's activities. Like the older sister association, the work of fostering physical fitness and good fellowship continues the vear through and particular success has been achieved in basketball. An idea of the progress made in the realm of physical drill was given during an interval in the sports. After an impressive march round the arena with banners flying, the teams were drawn up in massed formation, and a fine series of exercises, under the direction of Mrs. TC Montgomery, was given. It was an impressive sight to see 400 pairs of arms raised aloft in unison, a tribute to the efficiency of the instruction. Perhaps here and there a minor weakness was observable, but, judged by and large, the display was highly creditable and spectacular. The organisation is now definitely out of its swaddling-clothes, and the retention of the keen spirit now animating it should bring notable advances with every year.

Country Dancing Display, No less spectacular was the item which brought the sports to a close. This was a display of country dancing, bringing memories of the villages green and Maytime celebrations of older lands. There were no ribboned and floral effects; in the simplicity of tha dancing lay its chief charm. A few minutes before, in a corner of the field, a coaple were doing an impromptu Charleston, the modern outlefi for jubilant spirits. But the present day girl is versatile, and she is not blind to the virtues of the old-time dance with its easier graces and equal charms. As for the sports themselves, the rivalry and good sportsmanship everywhere visible were sufficient warranty of a successful gathering. The individual in all cases strove for the honour of her team. Each organisation had its distinct colours, and the arena was sn iridescent sea of green, orange, red, purple, blue, pink, and a host of other hues and tints in infinite variety. Three-legged races, sack races, even an obstacle-race in which competitors had to bowl a tyre, negotiate a tightlystrung net and crawl under a tarpaunn pegged securely to the ground, made up a varied programme. Then, on the more strictlv athletic side, were a 100 yds race, ■won in the good time of 121-55., and a walking race. Entries were so large that in all the individual events several heats were necessary to reduce the fields to a reasonable compass for the finals. Funds for Flaying-field.

At the head of the executive committee controlling the sports were Mies Jean Begg, as chairman, and Miss A. v. Hav, as secretary. Backed by an energetic committee and a band of sports officials, they ran the gathering smoothly and capably. About 3000 spectators ■were present, and the funds raised, details of which are not yet, available will be set aside for the provision of playing fields for girls, a need that is sadiy lack'iie, but which is now within prospect ot realisation. The Port of Auckland Band rendered lively airs daring the afternoon. Aeerezate points were scored as follows Presbyterian Bible Class Union, Al; Berlei, Ltd., 33; Ladies Hockey Association, 20; Dearsly s, Ltd . and Technical College Past Students Association, 14; Thompson and Hills, Ltd., and Y.W.C.A. -Gymnasium, 12; Browne Brothers and Geddes and the Methodist Bible Class Union, 9; Heard s, Mennie s, and Y.W.C.A. Clubs, 3; G. A. Coles and Company, Ltd., 6; Girl Citizens A, 5; Girl Citizens B, Girl Guides and New Zealand Herald, L „ _ . The Presbyterian Bible Class union thus won the grand challenge cup presented by the director of the New Zealand Herald, and Berlei, Ltd., won the runners-up cup presented by Mr. W. S. Pratt. These two teams also tied lor the cup presented for the highest points in team events,- while the Presbyterian Bible Class Union completed a successful day by annexing the cup presented by Mr. J. W. Shearer for the team gaming most points in individual events. The Individual Results, Following are the results of the finals: — „ _ Three-legged Race—E. Squires, U. Burbidge (Berlei, Ltd.), 1; J. Spragg, L. Morgan (Berlei, Ltd.), 2; P. Gelling, M. Hickey (Girl Citizens A), 3. Skipping Race, 75yds.—E. Bunting (Presbyterian Bible Class Union), 1; V. Nisbitt (Dearsly's, Ltd.), 2; V. Galvin (-J M. Mennie), 3. „ Obstacle Race. —Jlethodist Bible Class Union, 1; Technical College Past Students' Association, 2; Ladies Hockey Association, 3. Tug-of-war.—Y.W.C.A. Gymnasium defeated the rest Jumping the Brook.-—Presbyterian Bible Class Union, 1; Y.W.C.A. Gymnasium, 2; Ladies' Hockey Association, 3. Catching Relay.—Thompson and Hilis, Ltd., 1; J. M. Mennie's, 2; Presbyterian Bible Class Union, 3. Sack Race.—E. Sauires {Berlei, Ltd.), 1; P Wood (Y.W.C.A. Clubs), 2; G. Mays (Browne Brothers and Geddes). 3. Flag-> Relay Race.—Presbyterian Biblfl. Class Union, 1; Y.W.C.A." Gymnasium. 2; Thompson and Hills, Ltd-, 3. 100 yds. Championship.—V. Beer (Technical College Past Students' Association), 1; E. Simpson (Ladies' Hockey Association), 2; E. Bunting (Presbyterian Bible Class Union), 3. Time 12 1-Ss. Ziz-zag Race. —Berlei, Ltd., 1; Dearsly's L»<d., 2; Browne Brothers and Geddes, 3. Walking Race.—N. Crisp (Presbyterian Bible Class Union), X: E. Hubber (Ladies' Hockey Association), 2; Elliott (Y.W.C.A. Clubs), 3. _Oveehead and Tunnel Race.—L. Head's, 1; G. A. Coles and Company, 3> Berlei, Ltd., 3.