GIRL ATHLETES

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1933, Page 7

GIRL ATHLETES

PROGRESS IN AUSTRALIA

RECENT SYDNEY MEETING,

.SYDNEY, March 16

In recent years the progress of women in- (he athletic field has been remarkable. Not long ago a sprint race for girls was one of the novelties at a Sydney athletic meeting, but now girls compete in practically every kind of event, and each year their prowess grows. Nowadays they run and jump, hurl the javelin, throw the discus and do all manner of things almost a s well as men.

At first th e ?i r l s were content to form branches of existing clubs, and were .ruled by men. The fact >-hat they had so little say in those events that concerned them most led to trouble, and it was not long that they formed their own association, and ran their meetings in their own way. The men restricted them greatly and disgusted them by ruling that certain events were unsuitable for the “fair

Tho women conducted their own meeting in Sydney last Saturday, and it was a great s ucce s s. Women athletes are no longer regarded as curiosities, and it was remarkable that thero was such a crowd to see the events. The women did their part well, for it was a day of records. In all seven new records were established, and even the officials expressed amazement. M ISS •C. Hannan throw the discus 107 ft. lOitt,, which was 19ft. bettor than the Australian record. The placegetters—Miss F. Waller and Miss V. Hannan—also eclipsed the former record. ’Mies A. Smith, of Botany, hurled ‘the javelin 108 ft.. the State record being 97ft. 10in. The second and third competitors—Miss C- Kennedy and Miss C. Hannan, e ncli beat the previous record. Miss E. 'Robinson was another to beat the Australian record V f °r women. In the 100 yards race her time was H 1-10- Miss Kenedy won the 90 yards hurdle rac e i« the record time of 121-secs. The R°" tany relay team also cheated a record by running 300. yards in 35 l-ssecs. Although the performances w e i] e meritorious, except in the 100 yards event they do not approach world records. The officials .say, however, that it\ir only a. matter of time ‘before women athletes of Australia will be equal to those of other lands in every depart, ment of field sport. They say that there ha s been a sudden improvement in the standard in Australia, and they are at a loss to explain, the reason, except by saying that the girls are taking to sport more seriously than ever before. There had not been any apparent change in training methods, but the girls had certainly become keener since they had formed their own association and had adopted the principle of self-government. A Sydney doctor ’ said':—"“ls 'hot surprising. Australian girls are becoming accustomed to the open air life. They surf and they swim, and they are no longer afraid to do the things that would have filled their mothers with dread, They haye discovered that athletics are not too difficult for them. They can suffer no harm if they prepare themselves properly. It is all t°. the: own go°d,”