NEARLY FORGOTTEN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 203, 28 July 1937, Page 8

NEARLY FORGOTTEN

GIRLS AND FOOTBALL. THE SPRINGBOKS MATCH. Having completed its organisation for the accommodation of primary and secondary school boys on a specially reserved space inside the Showgrounds oval fence for the Springboks’ match against Manawatu next Wednesday, the Manaw'atu Rugby Union’s management committee found, last evening, when a request was received for facilities to accommodate Palmerston North Technical and High School girls, estimated to number 400, that it had overlooked making provision for them.

It was reported by Mr L. J. Berry that planks would be laid flat in ten rows to accommodate some 2000 boys, and these would take up the space available for this purpose on one side of the ground. It was decided to allot the secondary school girls a similar reservation on planks in the northwestern section of the ground on the cinder track, no specific requests having been received regarding primary school girls. The question was raised as to whether girls took nearly such an active interest in Rugby football as boys, for whom provision was being made, from the midget class upwards. It was considered that the match would appeal to the girls more from the point of view of novelty and the collection of autographs than anything else, whereas the boys would be there to see the football; but the point was advanced that if the girls were excluded from admission at the concession rate it would be just as logical to exclude women from the ordinary competition games. Comment was passed that, according to experience, girls were harder to look after than boys, but it was decided to admit them, like the boys, under the group system, supervised by their teachers. Mr Berry was appointed marshal for the primary school boys, Mr P. 0. Skoglund for High School boys and girls, and Mr G. G. Hancox for the Technical School boys and girls. There will be a loud-speaker service, with music to entertain the waiting crowds, and the Highland Pipe Band will be in attendance.