EVENING SPORTS MEETINGS

Southland Times, Issue 23991, 5 December 1939, Page 3

EVENING SPORTS MEETINGS

To The Editor Sir,—Will someone tell me why members of the public will not attend the everting sports meetings at Rugby Park and enjoy themselves in the fresh air? The meetings are made attractive. There are races from 100 yards to a mile, field events, women’s races and relays, team relays and cycling. Dodge-ball, which is amusing and exciting to watch, is being well patronized. At the last evening meeting all events attracted good entries except the women’s 75yard race, for which only about five entered. Why is that? Are Invercargill girls too lazy or just too conceited to run a race in front of spectators? As at the previous meeting the girls there thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Whenever a runner from Southland gains prominence in the north it is the Invercargill public that gains the credit of being a sporting fraternity. So why do the people not try to live up to that reputation from now on and help foster the sporting spirit by their attendance at these sports meetings, either as competitors or as spectators. They are lacking in their attendance at interschool football, inter-school athletics, cricket and such games. Cannot parents find enough spare time to patronize these meetings. There are large gatherings of parents and . visitors at such functions further north. Perhaps if we had some horse races at the evening meeting and did not charge the sixpence admission which we charge now, we might get a fair attendance. I do hope that the people will roll up to the meetings in future.—Yours, etc.,

SPORTING SPIRIT. December 2, 1939.