FOR THE GAME'S SAKE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 10

FOR THE GAME'S SAKE

"The game for the game's sake," was proclaimed by Mr. S. S. Dean, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, when speaking of what really is the sporting mission of the All Black team to Great Britain this year. Because of the friction that has clouded 'some international games in recent years, Mr. Dean's reference to the essence of the thing is timely. There is no implication that touring teams from New Zealand in the past have failed in this respect. Quite the reverse is the case, but it is well that the fathers of all games should take the opportunity to remind players, particularly the younger ones, that victory is not everything. There is an everpresent influence from the side-line that would turn a football game into a kind of grim gladiatorial combat. Intensity of public interest sometimes gives to the result an exaggerated importance. Great players, not necessarily in football, have not only lost some of their glory through 'succumbing to this fault, but also have aroused discord far beyond the fid!d. The Daily Mail's sporting writer expressed a truth when he said "Half a sheet of notepaper should suffice for all rules when men play games; the spirit of sport should do the rest." In spite of controversies the spirit of sport is having its influence fn the trouble-wracked world of today. For instance on the very day in March when the impact of Herr Hitler's proclamation rejecting the Treaty of Versailles was most violently felt, a German Association football team played a French eleven in Paris, and the Germans were given rousing cheers by a crowd of 45,000 when they stepped on to the ground, and the game was played in the most sportsmanlike spirit. In February a French cavalry team competed at the Berlin horse show and received great applause. A German team won. The following day the contestants changed mounts and the Frenchmen, though eventually defeated again, received a demonstrative ovasion. Thus is friendship cultivated between peoples in. spite of foreign policies that may irk. In going to the Motherland the All Blacks will be free from the risks of racial antagonism. On the field they may find keener rivalry than ever, but the finest laurel they can win will be a reputation for sportsmanship. There is a class of newspaper that thrives upon manufacturing trouble over games. Care should be taken that it does not get a chance over the All Black contests.