The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1911. SCHOOL FOOTBALL: SOME WELLINGTON ‘SPORTS’

New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1911, Page 913

The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1911. SCHOOL FOOTBALL: SOME WELLINGTON ‘SPORTS’

o HERE is no sphere in which bigotry is so out f'" “ {lj of place, anti so disgusting as in the world 0 £ of sport; and happily, there is no sphere in i'ST which it is so rare. But it is occasionally met with. The latest instance in point is ajh furnished by the city of Wellington —or rather “W by a narrow coterie of public school teachers r who, it is safe to say, represent neither the Wellington sporting world as a whole, nor even the general body of Wellington school teachers, in Hie contemptible and utterly unsportsmanlike spirit which

they have displayed. The victims are the boys of the Marist Brothers’ schools in Wellington and we take the facts of the case from the numerous reports, articles, and letters which have appeared in the Wellington papers during the past two or three weeks. •* In Wellington, Rugby football amongst the schools is controlled by a Public Schools Rugby Union, composed of. the assistant masters of the various State schools — • Schools’ Rugby Union, unhappily, being in no way under the control of the general Rugby Union for the province. For some years past the Marist Brothers’ School in Wellington have been playing Association football, because the Public Schools’ Union would not allow them to enter fo’’ the Schools’ Rugby competitions. Some five or six years ago they applied to be allowed to play Rugby with the State schools, but their application was refused on the following grounds: (1) That the Wellington Public Schools Union was a public schools’ union, and could not admit private schools without altering its constitution'. (‘One would think,’ remarks a critic, ‘that they were being asked to alter the constitution of the United States’). (2) That the Marist Brothers’ boys were bigger than the State school boys, and (3) That there , were not sufficient grounds available. The consequence was that the Marist Brothers’ boys were compelled to play Association in the Association Boys’ Leagues; and although formal application for permission to play Rugby has been made annually since that time, it has been invariably refused. ■ «. " / . * Three or four weeks ago Brother Vergilius, on behalf of the Marist Brothers, made a fresh application, for permission to enter teams for the Rugby competitions, - and again the Schools’ Rugby Union refused the application, no reasons whatever being given, Bro. Vergilius protested to the Wellington Rugby Union; and the other night a deputation from that body waited on the Public Schools’ Union, and asked that the Marist Brothers’ boys’ request be granted. It was pointed out by the deputation that it seemed to be an easy matter for the Public Schools’ Union to alter its constitution if it so desired that there was nothing to show that the Marist Brothers' boys were bigger than the State school boys, and that, as the city recreation grounds had been formed since the last application, and the Rugby Union had plenty of grounds, the objection on this score was now removed. It was further pointed out that in Auckland and Canteibury the Marist Brothers’ Schools took part in the schools’ competitions. A most earnest appeal was made to the members of the Schools’ Union to take a broadminded and sportsmanlike .view of the question; but so far as the majority were concerned the appeal was in vain. By seven votes to five, a motion that the Marist Brothers’ Schools be admitted was rejected. No reasons were assigned, the nearest approach thereto being a statement by one Mr. McKenzie that ‘he must oppose the motion as he had done on former occasions. He did not know that he could advance any particular reason, but he supposed he was conservative.’ Other people # will suppose that he was something much more contemptible. Two further deputations were sent from the Senior Rugby Union and eventually—apparently with a view of shifting responsibility— Schools’ Union referred the case to the Headmasters’ Association. To their shame be it said, this body, after a prolonged discussion, decided to endorse and support the action of the Schools’ Union. * As was only to be expected in a sport-loving community like Wellington, this decision has been received with groans of disapproval in every direction. In press editorials, in the letters of numerous correspondents, and in the speeches of members of the Senior Rugby Union, the attitude of the Schools’ Union has been strongly censured and condemned. Under the heading of ‘A Puzzling Discrimination,’ the Evening Post remarks: A refusal by the Wellington Public Schools’ Rugby Union to admit the Marist Brothers’ boys to its competitions has exposed the union to attacks which correspondents have not delayed to make. Unhappily there has been a suggestion that the religious element has not been overlooked by the union, but we cannot believe that the members have been guilty of any such narrowness. One explanation offered is that the

union, " under its constitution, cannot admit teams from private schools. Another excuse is that the grounds are just barely sufficient for the present teams, and that the Marist Brothers’ boys are bigger than their contemporaries, on the average. We agree with a correspondent that the constitution can be easily amended to permit the entry of the Marist teams. We think, too, that the ground difficulty has been exaggerated. Is the “big boy” figure a bogey ? slf there are such terrible young giants at the Marist schools, surely it is possible to handicap them. To sustain this argument about size the union has to show that the average standard ages at the Marist schools are higher than the' State schools’ averages. -On present indications the union appears to have an unconvincing case, and its attitude must inevitably promote unpleasantness. And the Free Lance, in an article whose thoughtful fairness must appeal to every reader, takes the same position. ‘ Leaving out of the question altogether the ultimate good of the Rugby game . . . there is no legitimate argument that can be brought forward to justify the barring of the Catholic lads from indulging in the Rugby game. In ,New Zealand there is no line of demarcation drawn as between the players bank clerk and the navvy, the College professor and the wharf laborer, the tradesman and the civil servant are all on the one level when they don the jersey, for then they are footballers, and footballers only. The black man, the white man, and the brown man all are brothers at Rugby, and, this being admitted, it is passing strange that a line should be drawn between the boy educated at the public schools and his future fellowcitizen at the Marist schools. , . . . Fair play is a jewel, and this is all that is asked for on behalf of the pupils of the Marist Brothers’ Schools. Religious distinctions should be unknown in our outdoor sports.’ * . In spite of the churlish obstinacy and of the repeated and decisive refusals of the Schools’ Union, the matter is by' no ; means finally disposed of. At the latest meeting of the committee of the Senior Rugby Union a motion was carried that ‘a subcommittee be appointed to wait on the Schools’ Union requesting them to hand over control of schools football to the Rugby Union’; and if it be found feasible a fresh lot of schools competitions will be arranged under the sole control of the Senior Rugby Union, and to these the Marist Brothers’ boys will be freely admitted. The essence of true sport is friendly rivalry, and a willingness to let the best men win. These qualities have been conspicuous!} 7 wanting in the attitude adopted by the majority of the Wellington school teachers ; and whatever else these individuals may be, they are certainly no sports. It . is in reality a matter of small moment, ultimately, to the Marist Brothers’ schools whether their boys play Rugby or ‘ Soccer ’; but the point for which the Brothers are contending—the principle that Catholic boys should not be discriminated against in the world of sport because of their religion—is one which should be defended and maintained in every possible way. On its behalf Bro. Vergilius has put up a stubborn and determined fight; and the odds are, on present indications, that—in the lo"g run — will win. ' ' ’ *