Figure 1.--
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Figure 1.-- |
The schools' games program is structured differently on the basis of gender. The boys and girls for the most part play different games and the importance of each program is usually different, although this varies from school to school.
Most schools focus boys' activities on the three major sports (rugby, soccer, and cricket) , although there is considerable diversity from school to school. A common boys' games schedule is' as follows:
Winter term: Rugby is the principal sport, but younger boys not yet rerady for the riggors of Rugby may play Association football (soccer) . Many schools require all the boys to participate in cross' country. Some schools also may have the seniors do some hockey during this term. Gymnastics are usually offered.
Spring term: Soccer is generally the principal spring sport, although a few schools still do not incourage soccer and may instead have the older boys play hockey. (A few years ago many Public and preparatory schools discouraged soccer, viewing it as ungentalmanly.) A few schools play basketball, but usually as more of a diversion than a competitive sport.
Summer term: The principal summer term at almost all schools is dominated by cricket, that quisentential English sport. Most schools also have athletic (track and field), golf, tennis, and other programs during the summer. Schools without outdoor pools often emphasize swiming during the summer term.
Other activities for girls are often offered as an alternative or supplement to games. Some schools schedule the girls for fewer games periods. At Ranby House, for example, the boys have five games and one activity afternoon each week while the girls have ' three games and two activity afternoons. Dance is probably the most common, but schools often subsitute a variety of other activities. Great Houghton in Northamtonshire, for example, had the girls learning sewing instead of rugby. The sesonality of the girls' games are even less standardized than the boys' games:
Winter term: Netball is the most common winter sport as it can be played indoors. Gymnastics is popular at many schools with trainng beginning in the winter term and folowed by fixtures at other schools later in the year. Some schools also play hockey in the winter.
Spring term: Many schools play hockey during the spring, but often netball fixtures continue. Formerly hockey was also a popular sport for boys, but many schools have now dropped hockey as a main team sport for boys. A few schools do lacrosse.
Summer term: Rounders is the main girl's summer sport at most schools. A few schools have optional cricket teams. Much of the competitive swimming takes place in the summer as many schools do not have heated pools. Tennis and, to a lesser extent, golf are also a popular summer sports.
Less emphasis is placed on games in both girls' and coeducational schools. This is partly because of the still prevalent belief prevalent at many schools that a sport is less important for girls and for a variety of other reasons. Girls appear to be less interested in competitive sports and also because many often leave at 11 or 12 for their public schools. Some of the male staff at formerly all boy schools have noted the different attitude that girls bring to sport--an additude that may be changing. Walhampton, for example, reported to parents that the girls additude, "... is generally much improved. They seem to have found a balance between competitive spirit and enjoyment of meeting contemporaries from other schools. I find it particularly pleasing to see the girls who exist in close proximity in the Clock House revelling in the opportunity to meet new friends! What a good year for the girls all round--well done!"
