Rugby Test in Australia

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 52, 12 July 1929, Page 8

Rugby Test in Australia

"Successful Rebroadcasts by the ‘YA Stations

Aso the previous Saturday, intense interest was displayed in the first Rugby Test of the season between Australia and New Zealand. By arrangement between the N.Z. Radio Broadeasting Company and stations 2BL and 2MB a full running description of the match was given in Sydney by Mr. Basil Kirke, The condi-

tions for the game in Sydney were in marked contrast to those of the preceding week, the ground being dry and a brilliant sun showing overhead. The attendance was a record for probably 20 years past, numbering approxi"mately 50,000. The rebroadcast wes even better than before, the whole of the announcer’s remarks coming through with. remarkable clarity and distinctness. On occasions, the referee's whistle was distinctly heard, the cheering of the crowd was audible in moments of excitement, and, at times,

individual remarks of spectators could even be heard. On the suggestion of the announcer, many listeners drew a rough map of the ground,, and he in his turn made a special point in his description of indicating the position of play at frequent intervals. This enabled listeners to enjoy a very close contact with the

game and follow the varying fortunes of war. There is no question that the rebroadeasts of the matches in Australia are proving very effective and very popular. Not only Rugby enthusiasts are appreciating the extra service, but all who have any contact at all with the sport. Through the rebroadcasts, radio is certainly receiving a very fine advertisement. ‘ TH illustration accompanying this article shows the method of mapping out football grounds employed in. Britain where broadcast descriptions are to be employed. ‘This illustration shows the preparations made by the British Broadcasting Company. will be seen, the ground is divided into eight plots by a extra line running midway from goal post to goal post. Each plot is numbered, and the announcer in explaining the run of the play simply refers to the plots by numper. This method will obviously save words as compared with the fuller phrases necessary to explain the position in relation to the halfway line or the 25 on the eastern or western side of the ground as the case may be. do far, this method has not been adopted on this side of the world, but it would seem desirable that the experiment should be made. For it to be effective, of course, listeners would need to equip themselves with a map or sketch of the ground cf play.