ENGLISH HOCKEY TEAM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16987, 10 March 1923, Page 8

ENGLISH HOCKEY TEAM.

TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. The announcement has been made in England that there is a possibility of a JtJritish hockey team visiting New Zealand and Australia, says the “ Dominion.” There are, of course, previous instances of tours undertaken by English players to other parts of the world, but, curiously enough, these adventurous spirit© are to be found among the All-England Women’s Hockey Association. These charming athletes visited New Zealand before the war. and last season went to America on propaganda work, with results that are destined to have an important bearing on the future of the game there. There is little doubt that in Australia and New Zealand, particularly in New Zealand, the game is increasng in popularity. The advance in the number of clubs and players since the war is remarkable, and there are now indications that a few years hence we shall witness real test games in another sport between the Mother Country and the colonies. COMBINED TEAM FOR ENGLISH TOUT?. Once the New Zealand aud Australian players attain to any degree of proficiency in the finer points of the game, it would be profitable tor a mixed team to visit England. An interesting programme could, says ” Sporting Life ” (London), be arranged for them, including club, county and international fixtures. and, although one could hardly anticipate success at first* colonial athletes do not ‘' lag superfluous ” in improvement- in sport. Jf the British Hockey Association is able to arrange a tour of the colonies, one rather hopes they will be able to persuade some of the giant© of the game—even if they are a little past their prime—to accompany the side For instance, S. H. Shoveller is still a sufficiently fine player to come out. and all hockey players here would welcome the opportunity of witnessing in action the one man above all others who has brought the atmosphere of romance into a pastime. Although we have not seen F. S. Jackson and C. B. Fry, whose names are legendary in the an nals of cricket, his name, like theirs is revered. If we are to meet an English tearg* we should see their highes; form, the artistry and subtle stick work of the British game. CONSOLIDATING LAWS OF THE GAME. Another advantage the proposed torr will have is to consolidate the laws of the game. It would be a happy ida to have an international round-tali© conference, such as happened while tie Springboks were here, which would >e the basis of an international board if control. A game that enjoys worllwide popularity —as hockey rapidly s doing--should be controlled by representatives of every country that ha cultivated it. There should be no lacs cf unanimity on fundamental prirciples. If New Zealand, Australia South Africa, France and other sport ing nations are serious in their desin to play hockey—and there appe&s little doubt that they are—they muc be given an equal voice in its man agin ent. If this principle be carried in;> effect, the international side of tfe game will advance ad in another five or six years we im> well see the regular periodical of international matches between Enjland, Australia, New Zealand aH South Africa, as we now see at cricks and Rugby football. ACTION BY NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL.

Mr H. S. J. Goodman, president a the Council of the New Zealand Hoc key Association, stated this morninc that the council wrote to the Englhl Hockey Association last year askirg what were the possibilities of an English team visitmg New Zealand in 1924. The council had not yet received an official reply, but he was of opinion that the visit would eventuate. The financial arrangements had not been discussed; all that the council had done was to suggest that- the visit might be made. Mr Goodman added that the council liad cabled to the Australian association asking if they were agreeable to the tour being extended to Australia, and they had received a favourable to the visit.