WINTER SPORTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 212, 2 May 1932, Page 6

WINTER SPORTS

ROTORUA PROSPECTS ALL FIELD GAMES PROMISE IMPROVEMENT THIS WINTER SHOOTING SHOULD BE GOpD The sporting prospects in Rotorua and the surround'ng distriet for the coming winter appear exceedingly bright. Enthusiasts of the various forms of field games are excellently catered for, especially in the more important branches. The prospects for the man with the gun are also very encouraging, as game is reported plentiful in most areas in and surrounding the Rotorua distriet. The various fontball, hockey and basketball clubs have, in most cases, strengthened their teams and many have also extended their operations considerably. Another encouraging omen is the new keenness and compeitive spirit which is this year more than usuaily evident. Most of the clubs have had their teams out to practice long before the season actually^ commeneed and they have expressed a determination to make a better showing during the coming winter than ever before. A strong bid is being made by the Rugby Union to win back the support that -was once given to this code of football in Rotorua. A few years ago this distriet could hoast players of note, whose deeds were known practically throughout the country. The di'strict was also honoured on several occasions by the controlling body staging important matches with travelling teams here. But of recent years the spirit that made rugby so popular has dwindled. A fight, however, is now in progress to re'nstate Rotorua rugby in its once envied position and patrons of the game will wthout doubt see an improvement. The rugby season commeneed last Saturday when two well contested senior matches and four junior games also of merit, were staged. Ladies' Hockey . Ladies' hockey clubs also promise some good contests during the season, which commeneed with three very . cred'.table matches on Saturday. Six teams have already entered for the various competition series and there is a prospect of a seventh club being, formed. What should arouse considerable interest in hockey circles is the reentrance of the Shamrock team into the sport. The year before last this team won the tv/o principal trophies played for in the distriet, the Robertson and the Wairua-a-Rangi Cups in convincing style. Last year the team disbanded, but has decided to play again this season, and is to field many of its former players. As the other teams have also improved and been strengthened by the addition of several fin'shed exponents of the game, the competitions should result in some keen and attractive displays. The golfing season has already opened and the third week-end competition was completed on Saturday. Cards returned to date show that the coming season V/ill see several new players amongst the foremost rank, and the older championship winners will by no means have an easy task in retaining their positions. The Arikikapakapa course is in perfect condition, having suffered little by the dry summer. Golfers may rest assured that this season's matches will prove most successful. Basketball The Rotorua Basketball Association has not yet commeneed its activit'es, but arrangements are being made to reorganise this sport and push it to the fore&ont. Several new players have added to the strength of the • various teams and operations are to be extended this year to cover a wider field. •> Whether bowling will be continued th's winter is not yet certain, but applieation has been made by the Rotorua Bowling Club to the Tourist Department for the usci of winter greens. Shooting prospects for the season, which opens to-day, are excellent. Game birds are plentiful in many areas and most species show an increase on recent years. Deer stallcing, for which there is an open season, has been good, though very few fine trophy hoads are now to be had. PracUcally the only area where these may be obtained is at the. back of Tarawera Mountain, but small heads and does are plentiful in almost every part of the distriet.