CONSERVATISM IN SPORT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 642, 19 April 1929, Page 6

CONSERVATISM IN SPORT

S ERICH'S New Zealanders are well satisfied with the range of sport available for them, but there may be something in the notion that new sports could well be introduced into this country. Baseball, lacrosse, men's basketball and squash racquets—there seems to be no reason for the absence of these sports. Conservatism is to blame, but it is an obvious fact that New Zealanders like their Rugby Union and League, their Soccer, hockey, cricket, tennis, athletics and swimming, and leave it at that. At only one game, Rugby, has anything approaching world prominence been won. Only in recent years has there been any attempt to introduce a new branch of athletics to New Zealand. Badminton is now played by a few enthusiasts in several centres; a few trial games of baseball have been played, have been regarded by the public as a novelty, and the worth of the game has promptly been forgotten. And yet Sydney people are gaining a lively interest in baseball now. Laerosse, as a women's game, as well as men’s, has won remarkable popularity in international competition in the British Isle . but | yet i" make it-, appearance in this country. The colleges of the New Zealand University would be able to place such a game on its feet. This year, men’s basketball figured in inter-university contests, but the play scarcely resembled the immense indoor sport <■!' tin' American universities, which have succeeded in making the game highly scientific. it is obvious that New Zealand is in the frame of mind in which any new game, no matter what its merits are, is tolerated as a novelty. It is discouraging for would-be pioneers to be aware of this Dominion-wide outlook. Auckland, recognised as the most open-minded centre, shows the greatest liberality in its patronage of sport, and. should any attempt be made to start lacrosse, baseball, or some fresh line of athletics, the North should present the most favourable field. There is a good deal to be said for the view of the American who claimed that variety is one of the best sides of sport. To sav that New Zealand has not the population is a small argument. Witli a sound footing, any deserving game can draw followers. Not overmuch competition has left New Zealand basking in the agreeable sun of amateurism. Sport is sport, nothing more, New Zealanders say. Commercialism is definitely taboo. The whole country would rock with astonishment were a large price 1o he paid for the services of a player. But no one blinked in England when the Arsenal Soccer people paid Bolton Wanderers .£10,340 for the services of one man for a season. League Rugby in the Dominion cannot display real professionalism. And it is in just such an amateur world that a new sport could have its best beginnings. It simply doesn't occur 1o the New Zealander that a change in sport could interest him. Everything is on such a homely basis in Dominion sport, sturdily eoloninl, that a change would savour of something imported. But the day must come when some admirable pioneer wilt decide that variety would not be amiss. Arne Borg's play in water polo in Auckland showed the colonial stolidity in its true light. The Aucklanders knew they were expected to throw the ball into a net, but Borg knew the finer points—something more than mere goal-heaving efforts. One explanation of the dullness of New Zealand water-polo is that the game lias yet to bo properly taught in this country. No one seems to be au fait with the real requirements. So conservatism has led New Zealanders on to a track fitting all the sports in the Dominion—a certain degree of ability is reached. The material is there, but only efficient coaching and study and greater variety, above a mere liking for sport, can raise ihe standard of proficiency. Conservatism has had a cramping effect.