THE WORLD OF SPORT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 27 July 1907, Page 3

THE WORLD OF SPORT

FOOTBALL, j ' THE RUGBY BOOM. j REMARKABLE EXPANSION. POSITION IX NEW SOUTH WALES. There has never been such a boom iu Rugby throughout the world aa exists now (says the Sydney Morning llcralil). When it is considered that "last Saturday in Sydney ami its suburbs alone fully 71)00 young men were actually engaged in liugby, anil that despite the bitterly cold winds tens of thousands more were onlookers at the various games, it must be acknowledged that the sport is a national one. The men in the position to speak from inner knowledge regarding the game in this country arc Messrs W. W. Hill (secretary of the New South Wales Rugby Union), and W. .1. Howe (secretary of tlie Metropolitan liugby Union), who explained the last developments as follows:

"There is a vast amount of interest being taken in the game of football in British-speaking dominions," said Mr lliil. "But not only can one look with some interest on the red links of Empire from a Rugby point of view, the game is becoming au international as well as a national one. In France tbev have discovered the virtue of Rugby, and our men who are lo leave here ill September, 1!)08, for England, will have a game in I'aris, and also play matches on the American continent. California is reaching out. Messrs Lanigan and l'resly. from the Leland-Stanford University, are now the guests of the union, while they are studying our Rugby methods. It is within the range of probability, as well as possibility, that New Zealand, South Africa, America, England and Australia may all be engaged in Rugby trials in one season iu Sydney before many years are past. "As for New South Wales, we have established Rugby at three of our southern border towns —Albury, Howlong, and Corowa. The New South Wales Rugby Union controls 34 branch unions, averaging 12 clubs in each union. The Metropolitan union is, of course, the strongest, and Mr Howe will tell you about that."

"The Newcastle Union comes next to the Metropolitan in point of number of clubs," said Mr Howe. "The Metropolitan links together 11 first grade, 19 second grade, and 18 liorough teams, and lias junior unions in many districts. All the great schools and colleges are playing Rugby, and 17 or 18 of the public schools and many of the Roman Catholic schools are also playing it. Other Rugby players are engaged under the flag of the city and suburban body. These are all old college boys, and will come under the union next year. "The general prospects of the game." added Mr Howe, "are brighter than ever I hey were. It would be impossible to make an exact estimate of the number of men playing Rugby throughout New South Wales alone last week. Tt must have been over IS,OOO. Tn Newcastle they have four grades playing on Saturday. a two-grade Wednesday competition, and they have their own ground in the heart of the eitv. and assets totalling £1052. We have almost completed the purchasing of the Epping ground, and Tast year our credit balance was £'2309. Last year we paid away £4OO for medical attendance, etc., £3OO to associated clubs for training quarters, and £3OO to the schools. "Rugby has spread out to C'obar in the west." said Mr Hill, "and has lately been started at Broken "Hill. II reaches up to the northern border by river and rail, and Queensland is a great State for Rugby, and is producing players of quality. Onr funds are being used to promote the game in the various .States and internationally, as well as in the country districts. We even undertake a little missionary work—in a Rugby sense—in centres devoted to other gamoS."'