Varsity Sport

To those of you who will be starting your University career next year the sporting facility available to you are numerous and vary greatly in their nature. You will all have had experience in many of the sports offered to you at your High Schools and Colleges, and these include: Athletics, Hockey (both Men's and Women's), Rugby, Soccer, Outdoor and Indoor Basketball (the latter for Men as well as Women), Cricket, Tennis, Swimming, Table Tennis.

However, among the twenty-four sports offered at University there will no doubt be quite a few which most of you will not have participated in—particularly within the Secondary School framework.

Harriers, at Varsity, is a dual sport. There are many who join the Harrier club solely for the sake of cross-country running: while others run to keep fit and to build up stamina for the summer track season. Tramping is an ideal sport for those who wish to keep fit and relax from studies, while "taking in" some nature. Skiing is currently the most popular sport at University, and ample opportune exist for those who wish to learn how to ski. Before the season begins "dry ski schools" are held in the Varsity gymn. So a certain amount of confidence is gained before you actually see the snow.

Golf is another of the friendly social sports at Varsity—although the more experienced golfers join up with local clubs and further their experience in inter-club matches. Here again, coaching is available for those who wish to start the sport at Varsity.

Judo is a sport which is noted for its qualities of self-defence as well as its competitive nature, and the Varsity club has a range of experienced "dans" and "belt-holders" who will be willing to instruct and encourage you should you choose to take up this sport next year.

Fencing is another indoor sport which will appeal to many. Often called Swords this sport combines agility, fitness and the need for a quick eye. It is a fast sport where experience and ability are key factors and the Varsity club is just the club in which these skills can be acquired. The essential "weapon" is the rapier-like sword with which "hits" are scored by contact with your opponent. This is not the swash-buckling antics which Doug Fairbanks engages in, but is a safe and nevertheless exciting sport.

Badminton is another indoor sport closely akin to Tennis, but played at a much faster tempo. Many of the Asian Colombo Plan students are keen and expert Badminton players, and are very keen to pass on their knowledge in what is their national sport.

There are two Rifle clubs at Varsity — Defence and Smallbore. Between them they provide all-year-round shooting. The Defence club is an outdoor one, using .303 rifles; while the Smallbore club is an indoor sport using .22 and similar rifles.

Rowing is a strenuous summer sport which nevertheless offers opportunities for beginners in "Novice" and "Maiden" events in local regattas.

Yachting does not have a great following at Varsity at present, but there are plenty of opportunities on the sheltered waters of the harbour with local clubs for those wishing to continue the sport.

Boxing is no longer recognised I as a Varsity sport and those wishing to participate in this sport will have to join a local gym.

Well, those are the opportunities awaiting you in the various sports clubs at University. However, in addition to the club activities, there I are the two N.Z. Universities Tournaments, which are held at each of the Universities in rotation.

The summer sports are held at Easter week-end, while the winter sports are competed for in the first week of the August holidays. Next Easter it is our turn to hold the summer championships here at Wellington. Those of you who stay in Wellington for the Tournament will be assured of a really good time and opportunities to meet many students from other universities. For most sports quite a bit of training is essential for those who h to do well in the N.Z.U. championships, but the rewards are evident in the attaining of such things as N.Z.U. "Blues", or perhaps a Victoria University Blue. Perhaps the best reward of all for those prepared to do the training is a trip to Australia with N.Z.U. team. Most sports have a reciprocal arrangement with their Australian counterparts for exchange tours every two years.

Many of you will probably be now thinking, "It's all very well encouraging us to join all these clubs, but we've got units to get." Most students here will tell that you can, and indeed should, join at least two clubs. From the point of view of your health, and your working efficiency you must get some outdoor activity, and what better way is there of getting this recreation than by joining a sports club?