UNIVERSALITY OF SPORT IN THE DOMINION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24022, 22 January 1940, Page 43 (Supplement)

UNIVERSALITY OF SPORT IN THE DOMINION

f ) ROP down a dozen Englishmen anywhere—on an island, in a backwoods clearing , or on the Indian Hills—and in a very short time the old schoolboy instinct will out, and the first level sward is turned into a cricket field in summer and a jootball arena in winter New Zealanders are known in sport for'their football more than anything else . The old “ ball ” game which took root in this country and began to flourish nearly 60 years ago has become the national sport, with a universal popularity reflected by the attendance of up to 40,000 and 50,000 at a single match. Early in the history of Rugby football in this country New Zealand was able to lead the world. The 1905 All Blacks first made New Zealand’s highly specialised game famous, and the high standards then set were maintained until a few years ago, when the jettisoning of the traditional formation caused a blow from which the game has not yet recovered. New Zealand’s other classic game is cricket, and as far back as 1864 the first overseas team, Parr’s England Eleven, visited this country, though playing only in the South Island. The chief rivals to the classic game, in recent years especially, have been lawn tennis, bowling, and golf, while hockey, basketball, and croquet are claiming more and more enthusiastic followers.. All these have developed beyond the status of mere pastimes, and are nationally organised so that they provide opportunities for largescale competitions and international contests.