MARCHING FIASCO

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7034, 21 March 1949, Page 4

MARCHING FIASCO

CHAMPIONSHIPS ABANDONED SCENE AT ATHLETIC PARK WELLINGTON What should have been the crowning feature of a highly successful girls’ marching -.earns year in the form of the New Zealand Championships of the Marching Association, at Wellington turned out to be a fiasco, due to ’.he worst Saturday in regards weather experienced for over 12 mon.hs past. The hesitant undecisive attitude of the controlling body was by no means commendable or understandable. Athletic Park, the scene of many Rugby hopes and the grave of more than one Rugby repuatation was the scene of the proposed championships, and by 1.30' the huge grandstand was crowded to capacity. Saturday morning turned out windy and blustery but with hopes that the unsuitable weather would confine itself to wind alone, but alas that was not to be for shortly before one o’clock rain fell and during the time scheduled for the marching displays the rain fell in torrents and it w&s swep;; across Athletic Park with gale force. Some idea of its strength can be gauged by the fact that ’-.he poies outlining the marching points had to be re-driven ‘into the ground with a hammer. Even the judges and marshalls had difficulty in keeping on their feet. The ha. s of many of the girls were blown off and helpers were busily engaged in capturing them.

The ground speedily became sodden and altogether it was the most unsuitable day that possibly could exist for what should have been a colourful and spectacular scene. Three weeks ago, a; Palmerston North, when the North Island championships were held, the day was brilliantly fine and the scene as reported after the event, was one of indescribable charm and beauty. On Saturday, the scene was woe-begone and depressing as it possibly could be. Shortly after one o’clock a s-.aut was made and McKenzies (Blenheim), took the field to loud applause and they took 68 paces. Their uniform colours, were black and the other teams who marched were United (Invercargill), red and white, 61 paces; Stafford, (Timaru), black and white, 61 paces.; Convent Old Girls’, (Nelson), black and* white, 62 paces; Ngongotata (Rotorua), skyblue ana white, 60 paces; Robin Hood (Rotorua), 58 paces; Municipal Band (Fielding), green and gold, 62 paces; H. and J. Smith’s (Gore), maroon and white, 61 paces; Fanthorpe’s • (Taumarunui), 61 paces; Cobden (Greymouth), red, white and biack, 59 paces; Salon Celia (Christchurch), red tartan and cream, 57 paces; Petone Rebels (Hutt Valley), red, white and black, 60 paces; Hasting’s Police (Hastings), blue and white, 60 paces; D.I.C. (Wanganui), lemon and black, 61 paces; Caledonian (Levin), McKenzie tartan and cream, number of paces not officially given, but stated by the announcer as being 44; R.S.A. (Taumarunui), black and white, 60 paces; Blair Athol (Dunedin), Stuart tartan and white, 61 paces.

When the Cobden team started to march the rain eased and the wind abated and there were hopes that the. storm had spent itself and photographers with both moving and ordinary cameras were busily engaged but the respite was but of short duration and a quarter of an hour, later, the storm increased in severity and it reached its height while the Blair Athol team were marching. A 1: this stage the decision to abandon the competitions was made. Several of the Blair Athoi team had hysterical collapses and had to be assisted off the ground. The main reason for this uh fortunate and distressing occurrence was the battering the girl’s faces received from the wind-swept rain.

At an earlier stage the leaders of all the teams were called together and they were asked to decide as to their willingness to carry on, or agree ‘co the competitions being abandoned. They unanimously agreed co carry on. and when that announcement was made over the loudspeaker system it was greeted with applause that threatened to oust the noise of the storm.

As the announcer said at one stage as a team was marching against ‘terrific odds. “And who said that they were the weaker sex.” An opinion' endorsed by the crowd. The uniforms of the girls who competed were soaked and many were at once taken to Trentham Military Camp, where all the teams were camped so as to have a change into dry garments and to lessen the damage to their uniforms. Among those present werp the Prime Minister (Right Hon. Peter Fraser) and the Minister of Finance (Right Hon. Walter Nash). The Prime Minister’s arrival was announced but no one seemed unduly elated or perturbed, though no doub'. Mr Fraser was not unduly worried over that fact. Mr Fraser was most kind in his enquiries as to the girls and he mixed freely with them, offering to do anything in his power to assist them. Several members of the Rochdale team met the Prime Minister and little Miss Lyriette Waters the team’s mascot had the pleasure of an introduction to Mr Fraser.

A greatly appreciated afternoon tea was provided for the teams, officials and special guests. The music was provided by the Wellington Watersiders’ Silver Band, Boys’ Institute Silver Band and the Horowhenua Pipe Band. The Rochdale team did not march, as they had drawn 22nd position. Thirty-four teams entered, coming from practically all parts of the Dominion.

The decision to abandon the competitions was a wise one and should have been made earlier, in fact before the competitions started. The decision to leave it to the girls was also an unwise one for naturally after having travelled hundreds of miles, 'they were anxious to compete. The reversal of their decision to carry on ’was anything but pleasing to the girls and some outspoken comments were heard. The whole affair was an unfortunate one and one deeply regretted -I by teams’ supporters and the public | generally. 1 So far as the teams competed were

concerned, the Hasting’s Police team marched particularly well and without having seen the others in action one would say that the team who would beat them would have to give a display of marching of a particularly high standard. The Hasting’s Police won the New Zealand championships last year, ’and three week’s ago they won the North Island premier honours at Palmerston North.

The meeting abandoned on Saturday means that no New Zealand championships will be decided this year. The championships next year it is anticipated will be held at Christchurch and will form part of Canterbury’s Centennial year celebrations. The .earns were camped at Trentham Military Camp, where the temporary accommodation was good and the meals excellent. The camp authorities co-operated with the New Zealand Marching Association’s officials helpfully and cheerfully. A particularly happy dance was held at Trentham on Saturday night. Yesterday several members of the Rochdale team inspected the Bellona and several frigates berthed at Wellington.

In regards the weather yesterday, was gloriously fine in Wellington. The Rochdale team returned home this morning, together with those named in Wednesday’s Courier. Telegrams and messages wishing the Rochdale marching team success were received from the following:— Mr and Mrs Dymore-Brown, G. Adams, N. Robinson, W. Adams, G. Spinley, T. Sklenars, The Bowdens, C. Graham, Zelda, Trask, Duncan, Leon Gotz, City Football Club, marchteam, Kiwis marching team, Kawhia marching team, Peter Norris and Ron Horan, Mouse, Mac, and Bill, Jim, Derek, Don and Max, M. Mexted, Wally and Milty, Norman, C. McLiash, Morriss family, Bruce, Mrs Nicholson, Joy and seven others of whom unfortunately the names are unavailable. STATEMENT BY HON. W E. PARRY i The Minister of Internal Affairs in a statement published in the official programme of Saturday’s event, stated:— A few years ago, girls’ marching, in the few areas where it was carried out, was considered primarily as just a colourful and pleasant interlude during the more serious business of athletic or cycling meetings. Not many people considered marching as a specialised sport in its own right, and fewer still could foresee that from such humble beginnings there would evolve what must now be regarded as one of New Zealand’s major summer sports; an established sport, that is, both from the point of view of the number of girls participating and of public interest. This amazing growth of a new sport can be explained, I think, by the fact that the scope for girls’ summer team games has hitherto been somewhat limited, and that in girls’ marching many young people have found a satisfactory and beneficial mode of recreational expression. New marching teams and associations come into being every summer and the organisation and vitality of the sport is such that there should not exist even the passing thought that it may be just a short-lived fashion fad. Girls’ marching as a recognised sport is here to stay and I for one am glad that this should be so; ndt only because I have been interested in the sport since its inception, but because I. consider it, as do so many others, a fine team sport which is providing a health-giving and stimulating recreational activity for a most important section of our community. On each occasion that national championships have been conducted by the New Zealand Marching Association, additional thousands of persons have become enthusiastic about girls’ marching; given suitable weather, I am sure that the same will be said of this year’s championships and that Athletic Park will be the scene of yet another marked improvement in a very popular sport.

SPORT OF MARCHING This year some 3000 girls throughout New Zealand have taken marching for their summer sport. This means that marching is now almost the major team sport for women in New Zealand during the summer months. There are many good reasons for their choice, and the fact that each year the number of marching teams continue to rise shows that their choice is a sound one. Firstly, there is the reason of health. Most girls will tell you that after even a week or two at the sport they feel brighter, happier and more alert. Next, there is-companionship. In marching, perhaps more than in any other sport, each girl is a member of a team, and the team spirit is very highly developed among them. They need not work in the same place, or even live in the same suburb. Wheat they start training, they may not even know one another, but after the first few practices they are all firm friends, and, especially in the, bigger cities, they have very effectively banished the bogey of loneliness. Then there is the opportunity to travel. Marching competitions are held in many centres, from North Auckland to Southland, and it is good fun travelling with other teams, and meeting girls from other parts of the country. The sport is not an expensive one. The affiliation fee for each team is usually only £1 a year, or 2s a girl. The. New Zealand Marching Association does not favour expensive costumes, so that no girl need be frightened at the cost. Instructors give their services free, so the only other expense is travelling, and this is usually arranged at reduced rates. Billetting, too, is often provided by interested people wherever the competition is held, and meals are. usually free to teams. Finally, it is not necessary for you to know anything about marching when you begin. All you need is the desire to join a marching team, and the time to practice. Keenness and practice will soon put you among the best. You do not necessarily have to be in your ’teens, either. Some of our best marchers and champion leaders are married women with families!