SCHOOL SPORTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 45, 7 October 1911, Page 8

SCHOOL SPORTS.

“CHILDREN MUST BE TAUGHT TO PLAY.” An interesting paper on “Organised Gaines in onr Public Schools” vena read by tlio retiring president of the Wellington Public Schools’ Cricket Association (Mr 11. Darroch) at the annual meeting of that body on Saturday last. The moral and physical benefit, of properly supervised school games was emphasised. Mr Darroch explained that he had been closely connected w ; th school sports for twenty-three yeans and he was absolutely convinced that no subject was of greater impel Lance in Xcw Zealand’s school programme, particularly in these days of enlightenment, when so much was heard about the loosening of the moral fibre and the recruiting of the race from below. Games for all children shou'd be made compulsory, unless forbidden by a medical certificate . The two most important considerations for teachers were the moral and physical training of the pupils. All possible authorities agreed on tin’s matter The moral training should bo done in the school playground, through the medium of school games. During his \ is.it to the British. Islands the speak- ■ or was convinced that, as some one had said the other day, the best hoys were the beef-eating hoys, who played admirable cricket. The speaker stressed the estimable qvu’.'.Lcs induced by a proper regard for school games—the esprit-dc-eorps, the power to obey, and command, the very access.iry instinct of discip'bio. The children must he taught games. Any one of them who had taken the trouble v.itli school sporrj could recognise this. The association of the teacher with the children in the school ground was insisted upon. '! lie speaker stressed the fact that he.-t modern authorities on phyt iology 'Called out loudly for games. Mr Da'roch declared that it war; absolutely necessary that the children’s games should he closely supervised tue teachers to prevent them (the children) over-

taxing themselves. There was a need for more grounds in tow n. Iho good work being done in (he phu 7 ' (-round had been favourable noticed

i)v the inspectors. "he sneaker concluded with the hope that toacheis should do all in their power to dissuade the children from sitt-ng in tho grandstand and cheering on the players instead of cultivating theii enci-

gies in tho various, branches or sport open to all. They must see that the I'iinic business was not overdone, and

v must guard against th ; profes-

sorial instinct from creeping in. Sport mist not he played as an .ml, but as

> means to an end. Tho president’s address was received with considerable appreciation.