CENSUS OF SPORTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19196, 12 June 1924, Page 9

CENSUS OF SPORTS.

INTERESTING FIGURES.RUGBY’S BIG FOLLOWING. ’ (Pee United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON,- June 11. For, it is said, the first time in the British dominions,; -a. qensus of sports has been taken in. New Zealand. The results are interokting, but Tiot perfect,- as .thecollection of the statistics was voluntary, and not compulsory, and many returns have not been forwarded; moreover, the inquiry was confined to sports bodies whose organisation readily permitted information being obtained. • ' ’ " ■ The figures now collated show that Rugby Union football leads the way with 40,000 active players and 670 clubs. Next comes lawn tennis, with 19,967 and 302; racing in all forms 16,967 and,l93; bowling, 13,945 and 269. After that the numbers tail off. Golf shows 9115 players and 96 clubs; cricket, 8566 and 231; hockey, 6497 and 389; .swimming, 6433 and 89; Association football, 6000; and Rugby League, 3818 (no ciulrs are given in either case); professional athletics, 4775 and 214. In many casec, of course, the same person must appear several times over. The cricket returns arc avowedly much understated,, as many clubs arc not affiliated with local associations. No amateur athletic returns were forwarded.