DEFENCE OF RUGBY FOOTBALL
Not Slipping In Its Popularity PLACE OF OTHER GAMES IN SCHOOLS ■ “We have had no explicit requests from the National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation and, consequently any allegation that we are not doing what is required of us can be rebutted easily,” said Mr. J. K. Moloney, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union in an interview in which lie disagreed with recent remarks of Mr. F. G. Dunn, a member of the National Council, that Rugby was slipping, both in the administration ! and its popularity as a sport. No concrete proposals had been made to the union, he said, bv the council, and the expressed ideals oi’ the .Minister of Internal Affairs were too nebulous. Mr. Moloney indicated bis opposition to any suggestion of interference by the council or its members with administration of sports. Rugby Sound. “The objects and desires of the Minister are not indicated on strong lines and that has been criticized in certain quarters,” said Mr. Moloney. “The schemes appear to be rather vague. As planned by the Minister, the National Council is part of a scheme which cannot reach fruition in a moment; it has to be a planned effort over the years, endeavouring to enlist the support of all institutions, organizations, and peoples so that the health and outlook of the race may be improved. “The heart of Rugby, I definitely say, is as sound as ever. Though we were defeated by the Springboks from the point of view of winning and losing, one probable beneficial effect is that the defeat will make the people realize that New Zealand cannot expect to be always on the winning side. I believe that Rugby is having somewhat of a lean time, but we shall regain our position in the next few seasons. Anyone who is a judge of football will agree that the Springboks were a side of unusual merit, and that' New Zealand was lacking in the hard, rugged type of forward necessary to combat, such a strong combination.” Physical Education. The establishment of a chair of physical education at the university, bringing into being a number of specialists giving practical courses in tlie schools was advocated by Mr. Moloney as the best scheme for the improvement of the physique and outlook of the nation. These courses, already popular in the United States, embraced such subjects as track and field athletics, football, gymnastics, tennis, swimming, with physical exercises to impleInent the sports. The object of the mass education and development of the individual in the sport, for which he showed aptitude would be the production of a healthy race. If the system were amplified in the secondary schools and the university, New Zealand would develop, a national outlook in sport, as well as doing a great service to its youth. ■
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Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 145, 15 March 1939, Page 5
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471DEFENCE OF RUGBY FOOTBALL Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 145, 15 March 1939, Page 5
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