MASSED SPORT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 241, 5 July 1919, Page 8

MASSED SPORT

0 . A. LESSON* VROM'THK WAR. (By Sisley Huddleston, in tlie"Dail> Mail." The great reproach that opponents of sport—there are such , people—make against, sporting exhibitions is thai only a few professionals actually play, while thousands nf spectators, who are hot in the. least benefited by their enlhusiasm for vicarious sports, waste their lime in shouting.

Now the idea, of games en masse has come, and it will stay. The old reproach of playing by proxy was partly true,, but the. Army has taught men to participate actively in all sorts of pastimes, while the new notion, which comes from-America, will enable them to put their desire for recreation into practice, The other day no fewer than 6COO soldiers took part in a single race. There were 1500 of them in one heat, Of course, it needed real experts to arrange and start and judge this' crowd of runners, . But it was done. It was done under the supervision of an American physical director attached to. the Army in France who is anxious that this -method of sport en masse, sport without spectators, sport in which everybody lakt-s part, shall be developed.

I heard this week of a football match in France in which there were 400 players. Naturally it was not quite the scientific affair to which the British public is accustomed. There was no room for delicate dribbling on for fancy aerobatics. But it was healthy going. It was a game Which was full nf zest. Every one of the 400 enjoyed himself, enjoyed himself more than if he had looked on at an encounter between Astrm Villa and Newcastle. Needless to .say, it is much'healthier to kick a ball than to watch a ball.

There were indeed four footballs'on the held, so that everybody should have a chance. Goals were scored whenever the ball went over the goal-line.

These two examples are not exceptional; they are typical of the efforts which aro being made to' induce the men of the American Army to get down into the arena and not to stay on Ihe grandstand. This system is going to have wonderful results in the physique of tho Yanks. Why should it not be introduced among us? '

Do not be satisfied with cheering the champions in every branch of sport; be the nearest thing yon-can to a champion yourself.

Now that the soldiers are coming home, I seriously suggest that greater facilities for communal games should be given. Why stick lo the stereotyped ways? Every town should have not only its football team, but also its great jieco of grof.nd where anybody can burst, in upon tho jolly crowd of players and lake !> hand—or rather a foot—in the sport.

Let us keep (he games in which "crocks" take part, hut lot us also develop the go-as-you-please gomes, Hie games for all, the ,games which will really reinvigorate the jaded soldier back in civilian life again. The orthddox will'shudder at this sacrilegious disregard for rules, but games are maije for man and not man for a cast-iron code.'