Formation Of Many New Teams A Feature Of Last Season

Chronicle (Levin), 1 May 1948, Page 7

Formation Of Many New Teams A Feature Of Last Season

Though the youngest of all summer activities, girls' marching, has in a few-years, taken a high place in summer sport. Though it met with many scoffers in its fbrmatiOn stage, time has proved that it has ... filled a place in New. Zealand • .sporting cireles and provided recr.eation for a large section of the Dominion's young womanhood, who would perhaps n'ot otherwise have engaged in summer sport. This last season has seen a phenomenal rise in the popularity' of niarching, and many new teams were formed. Displays were restricted during , teams. Miss Rennie (D.I.C.) won ' 'the season, but some fine contests,the leaders' contest at Taumaruw.ere held both before and after the j nui, while Miss ,M. Green .(WoolimpositiOn of the restrictions 011 1 worths, Hutt Vailey) was successnublic gatherinas. I fni at Rnlls.

The North Island was successful in retaining the New Zealand title at the championships in Dunedin, when Police (Hastings) won the contest march. The South Island was successful in again holding the champion leader's title, this gping to Mrs. N. R. Muncaster, of the Arawa team, Nelson. Horo whenua did not have a team at the contest although D.I.C., which is affiliated to the Manawatu Centre, and whose headquarters are in Levin, competed as the representative of the centre. They were successful in gaining third place both in the contest march and leader. The North Island chainpionship was held at Rotorua on March 22 last before another good attendance of the public, Oddfellows' Lodge (Hastings) pfoving the wlnners from D.I.C. (Wanganui) . The outstanding feature of this contest was the awarding of the possible points (50) to the D.I.C. leader, Miss N. Rennie, who made history in Nev; Zealand marching contests for leaders. The opening day of the Horowheriua Association was made a gala one and a considerable sum was raised for food fo^ Britain while the contest on March 13 is of too recent date to need any reference, except that all teams who came are loud in their praise of the hospitality shown by the local residents and the ladies' committee of the association, which was responsible for the servlng of 1500 meals during the .course of the day. . Making their first appearance in competitions this season the Bandoliers (Otaki)- have performed eredit&bly, and with the benefit of a few more. contests will soon r.each top class. . This team is sponsored by the Otaki Brass Band, and next year it is the intention of the Foxton Silver Band -to have its own marching, team. ' •: Hofbwhenda tehms competed at the E(utt championships on Apjil 9 ! •indi't performed' * cr e ditably. Wljoh hard ..practice, they will all be Jjn fche top, grade next season, as tjae. niaterial is"' in ' the teams and the • girls and coaches are'very keen. '• The last contests of the Season were held at Taumarunui and Bulls, when Pirates (Rotorua) were - ucrcessfuf in beating.. D.I.C. (Wanganui). in the contest march, while The Fashion (Dannevirke) gained a one point victory over' Caledonia:! (Levin) at Bulls. K.B.H. were olaced ftfth. and were successful in defeating a number of seasoned

The juvenile teams are favouritee>vith thse public wherever they appear and the Horowhenua Association has three. This year they competed for the first time, when Marshalls (Foxton) were successxui m winning- the Benfell Cup from Alpi'ne (Levin) and GoldenEagle (Shannon). Otaki will also^ have a juvenile team next season, : as well as. more senior teams. j • The Judges \ Marching can kty. claim ,to b.eingi che faijjest oL. ali sport— tlie: i ele-i ment qf iuck; seldom .enters- ih,ut and ten judges pfflciate at allrcbn- . :ests. There' are two judges. . on i each section -of the' course.:and cheir totais are added tpgether/and divided, and ho one judge knows : what points his assoeiate has • awaided until the contest is over, nor any more idea of the winner than the general public. .There are 25 sections judged separately as A'ell as two Sections for the leader. The recorder and his associates have-an extremely busy time as, with a large number of teams, they have a rnass of figures to place on the mascer sheet, total, and check, but the recorder has the satisfacticn at the end of the contest of ~emg the only one who has known how the points compared and the first to know the ultimate winners. I Sceing that the contest is kept moving and that teams are ready to j march is the responsibility of the marehal, and the Horowhenua Association is fortunate in having the ssrvices of- Mr. J. R. Macfarlane, who has° also designed the serpentine marehes seen in Levin, at various times. This review would not be com-plet-e without a reference to the coaches who spend a great deal of time on the parade ground instructing the girls. In nearly every case they are men who wete responsible for def ending the Empire during the war years, and are now devoting their leisure hours to the training of thousands of girls, who are taking par-t in one of the most health producing and form correcting exercises suitable for all types. Help By Bands The most important aspect from the marching viewpoint is the supplying of the martial music, and the Horowhenua Association is most fortunate in the support accorded it .by district -bands. Without the bands there would be no competitions, the bandsmen often attending at no little ineonvenience to themselves, many travelling long diStances and with no thought of reward. Musically and in appearance ^he bands add to the success of the competitions, and the Horowhenua Association extends its warmest thanks to them for their assistance.