The management of athletics in public schools : a paper read before the Association on January 12th, 1886 / by George Fletcher.

  • Fletcher, George, Ed.D.
Date:
1886
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The management of athletics in public schools : a paper read before the Association on January 12th, 1886 / by George Fletcher. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ** —J „ * not learnt during youth, you will never learn it, for a tumble or heavy fall in later years is attended with very different results to the same falls in youth, then moreover it is the natural instinct fearing to fall which prevents an older man from trying the many figures. For exercise on a clear frosty day nothing can come near it, and we can leave this with one remark, encourage it in every possible way, with¬ out any hesitation or reserve, to the very smallest boy. I think now I have gone seriatim over each branch of athletic games, as generally met with in any schools, I have dwelt perhaps at too great a length on some branches, but I trust I have given you clearly my views on them. I think the tone of schools has somewhat altered since “Tom Brown ” was written in respect to bird’s nesting', but¬ terfly catching, etc. These and other kindred pursuits are more to be met with in books and in a past generation, than in the modern school-boy with whom we have to deal, and besides this I do not think the insect hunting boy quite comes within the scope of my paper. I must make a few remarks which will apply to all games I have mentioned, as regards the boy from a physical point of view. We will assume that every boy should be seen by the Medical Officer soon after he enters the school, and that a medical report of him is sent from home. We must endeavour to see that each boy’s constitution is robust and healthy and kept so, in as far as this can ever depend upon any school arrangements which are under our control. Let us ask the masters to receive our help in doing away with any legalised bodily idleness, and we shall soon see the physical languor and flabbiness disappear from the loafers and many a boy will improve visibly, bodily and mentally. If a boy is found to be suffering from some constitutional disease or is decidedly delicate, we can put him at once out of the question of athletics. But some few boys may be delicate without being placed in that group, and for them a certain amount of exercise is beneficial. Let the Medical