ORGANISED GAMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22004, 10 January 1935, Page 10

ORGANISED GAMES

CHILDREN IN PARKS HAPPINESS OF CO-OPERATION SUNSHINE ASSOCIATION'S WORK A crowd of juvenile "Don Bradmans" was playing cricket at Potter's Park yesterday afternoon without arguments as how long Johnnie had batted or how many catches Sara had "muffed." Near by a game of rounders was being enjoyed under the most generally approved rules by a host of boys and girls ranging in age from seven to 12 or 13, and on a patch of lawn which, if slightly concave, was at least nicely marked out, four keen young tennis players, whose average ago would bo about 11, were showing a pleasing style. The youngsters were enjoying organised games under the guidance of voluntary helpers from the Community Sunshine Association. Every afternoon during the summer holidays cricket, tennis and rounders gear is sent by the association to Potter's Park, Gribble-Hirst Park and Grey Lynn Park under the care of two or three enthusiastic members of the association, who organise teams and keep a kindly eye on the play to make suro that everything runs smoothly and happily. Anyone who has had experience of children knows how some can dominat-e their more timid companions and how, in the absence of organisation, the best game can degenerate into aimless squabblings. Many Happy Paces

The happy faces of the children at Potter's Park yesterday formed an unmistakable indication of the success that has attended the Sunshine Association's efforts, and the keenness of the young players showed that a real physical benefit is being gained from the training in the various games. The Cucksey Cup may not be a very well-known cricket trophy, but to the children in the areas surrounding the three parks under the supervision of the association it is a most important one. It has been competed for annually for the past five or six years between teams representing the three parks. Last year the Gribble-Hirst eleven secured the trophy, but this season it is expected that the team will be given a very strong challenge by the other two sides.

The children at each park elect their own captains and vice-captains, and a list of the names chosen for the team is given to the supervising helper. Practising every day, sopie of the young players are showing very promising form.

A Kindly Supervision

A kindly supervision is also kept over the playing apparatus, to make sure that the bolder spirits' do not monopolise the fun, and for the younger ones a little circle is formed under a shady tree, where interesting stories are read aloud by one of the helpers. Mr. H. A. Cramond and Miss B. McLeod are in charge of the general organisation of the games, and they receive support from many willing assistants. Similarly organised games are conducted in Myers Park and Victoria Park by Miss G. S. Armstrong, the Auckland City Council games supervisor, and it has been found in all instances that great benefit can be extended to children who are inclined to be shrinking and timid, by ensuring that they are given their fair share of the fun with the rest. The influence of the games lias a definite effect in character-building, for self is subordinated in the interests of the team in a way which cannot take place when children are left largely to their own devices over the long summer holidays. The bold, selfish children are taught the value of co-operation instead of being allowed to indulge their own will to the full, wliile another important result is the restraint imposed in playing an exciting game fairly.