THE RUGBY BODY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8870, 22 July 1907, Page 4

THE RUGBY BODY.

Remarkable Expansion.

There has never been such a boom in Rugby throughout the world., as exists now, says the Sydney Morning Herald of July 10th. When it is com sidered that last Saturday inSydney and its suburbs alone fully Tuuu young men were actually Rugby, and that despiter the bitterly cold wind tens of thousands more were onlookers at the various games, it must bo acknowledged that the sport is a national one. The men in the position to speak from inner knowledge regarding the game in this country are Messrs W. \V Hill, secretary of the New South Wales Eughy Union; and w. J. Howe, secretary of the Metropolitan Union; who yesterday explained the last developments as follows . (“There is a vast amount or interest being exhibited in Rugby throughout the _ Britidi-speakmg dominions,’’ said Mr Hill. Ent not only one can look with some interest on |the red links; of Empire from a Rugby point of view, the game is becoming an international as well as a national one. In France , they have discovered the virtue ox Rugby, and our men, who mo to , leave here in September, 1908, for England, will have a game in Paris, aucf also play matches on the American continent. California is reaching out. Messrs Lanigau and Presly, from the Lelaud-Stanford University, are now the guests of our Union, while they are studying our Rugby methods It is within the range of probability, as well as possibility, that New Zealand, South Africa, America, England and Australia may all be engaged m Rugby trials in one season m Sydney before many years are past. As for New South Wales, we have established Rugby at throe of our southern border towns— Albury, Howlong and Oorowa. The New South Wales Rugby Union controls 34 branch unions, averaging 13 clubs in each union. The Metropolitan Union is, of course, the strongest, and Mr Howe will tell you about that.” “The Newcastle Union comes next to the metropolitan in point of number of clubs,” said Mr Howe. The Metropolitan linkj together 11 first grade, 19 second grade, and 18 borough teams, and has junior ' unions in many districts. All the great schools and colleges are playing Rugby, and 17 or * c lß of the Public schools and many of the Roman Catholic schools' are also flaying it. Other Rugby players are engaged under the flag of the city and Suburban body. These are all old college boys and will come under the union next year. “The general prospects or the game,” added Mr Howe, “are brighter than ever they were. It would be impossible to make an exact estimate of the number of men p" aying Rugby throughout New bouth Wales alone last week. It must have been over 15,000. In Newcastle- they have four grades playing on Saturday, a two-grade Wednesday competition, and they have their own ground in the heart of tho chy, and assets totalling £1053. Wo have almost completed the purchase of the Eppiug ground, and last year our credit balance was £2899. Last year we paid away £4OO for medical attendance, etc., £3OO to associated • clubs for training quarters, and £3OO to the schools. “Rugby has spread out to Cobar m the west, ’ ’ said Mr Hill, ‘ ‘ aud has lately been started at Broken Hill. It reaches up to the northeran border by river, aud Queensland is a great State for Rugby, aud is producing players of fine quality. Oux* funds are being used to promote the game in the various States and internationally, as well as in the country districts. We even undertake a little missionary work-in a Rugby sense— I - centres devoted to other games. ’