GAMES FOR SCHOOL-GIRLS
SPORT INDOOKS AND OUT. The necessity for teaching games at school to girls as well as to boys was omphasised by Mr. H. E. Longworth, ol the physical culture section of the Education Department, in tho course of nn address before the New Zealand Women • Teachers' Association conference last evening. Miss N. E, Coad, M.A., pnesided over a large attendance of teachers from all tho provinces. Mr. Longworth said that the value of games as an adjunct to school life was well known. It was apparent at present that people should be taught to play the game, and the spirit should be fostered by playing games in the schools. The mon who had played much at school usually played the game in a far greater sense. It was a fallacy to think that girls did not play tho game as well as boys. Soma people thought that exercises for girls were not ladylike, but that was an opinion of past generations. "Bather than have a girl parading in a 6tntely manner," he said, "I would prefer agility, and only by playing game 6 can this be achieved. I would not, however, ask girl 9 to play 'liugby football, nnd I think, too, that hockey is not good for girls generally. The ordinary school organised games, such as roundotß nnd relay races, on the other hand, are wry line". ... I have seen girls running against boys in relay races, and 1 have seen the girls beat tho boys many and many a time. I think it makes the lads respect the girls more."
Ho contended that if girls could play games bb well as •boys, tho spirit of chivalry would grow again. Bounders was a very line game for girls. Only recently in Wellington a girl showed that she could Wirowa crickct ball as well as any boy. Bounders taught quickness of eye and of hand, and though in some districts it was not popular, it was the duty of the teacherß to foster the game. Basket ball, said Mr. longworth, was a very fine game as an exercise for the muscles of the body. Basket ball brought the extensor muscles into play,' as it was necessary to intercept the ball by reaching for it. The bending through basket ball, too, was very beneficial in many ways. "In the past enough care has not been talcen of the girls," he said,
"and I liopi more will be done in the future. There should .be more time given to physical training. In England a 20-minutes game interval' is given, and in New Zealand only. 15 minutes." Mr. Longwortli referred to indoor Barnes as a great help to school worlr. These games were known as "blackboard relay races." Quickness of thought and concentration were all necessary to the school child in the performance of these games. Ho outlined the games system to the teachers present, explaining that there would have to be sides, as in ordinary Raines. "In indoor games," he added, "children should not be repress, ed. Ecinember, they are only .playing, even if they do happen to bo in t'hd classroom."
Mr. Longworth paid a tribute to work of the late Lieutenant H. A, E. Milncs, late of the Auckland I/joining College, who was a pioneer in school basket ball as far as New Zealand was concerned. Hevexpressed the hope th.it the rules of basket ball would bo standardised for New Zealand schools. The teacher had great ' responsibilities, and on account of this, in order to help the children under her care, she should do her utmost to encourage games in the school/'
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Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 82, 31 December 1920, Page 8
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605GAMES FOR SCHOOL-GIRLS Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 82, 31 December 1920, Page 8
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