LACROSSE FOR GIRLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22464, 7 July 1936, Page 3

LACROSSE FOR GIRLS

MOVEMENT IN MELBOURNE "Although almost as popular as hockey as a game for girls in England and the United States, lacrosso is a game very little known in Australia and Now Zealand," said Miss Hilda Wright, who arrived at Auckland yesterday by the Monowai. Miss Wright, who lives in Melbourne and who is a member of the Melbourne Y.W.C.A., said that an attempt to establish lacrosse as a game for girls was causing much interest in Melbourne. She herself had played the game a great deal in both England and tho United Stales. The first lacrosse practice recently held in Melbourne was attended by nearly 30 girls, who received coaching from overseas experts at Albert Park, .and it was anticipated that in spite of much adverse criticism tho game would prove increasingly popular. The general opinion that lacrosse was unsuited to women was quite unfounded, said Miss Wright. It was a speedy but scientific game and, when played properly, no more rough or dangerous than hockey, especially under the newly modified rules, which made it very different from the men's game, although tho system remained the same. The move to establish the game was beaded by Miss N. Rawlins, of the Y.W.C.A. and a former English Territorial lacrosse player who had represented tho North and West of England. She was assisted by tho physical director of the Presbyterian Ladies' College and the sports mistress of the college, both of whom had had considerable experience in tho game.