“ Archery might be classed as a pioneer sport for women. The art of the bow and arrow has been exploited ever since the written records of man. At the present time, when such sports as basket ball, field hockey, track athletics, etc., are the popular games, archery has been less in favor. There is no reason why any athletic girl who can run the hundred in good time, and acquit herself creditably in any of the more strenuous sports, should smile a supercilious smile at Archery—mere child’s play in her mind. ”
Summary
"Girls and Athletics," an anonymous treatise on women's participation in sports, examines the intersection of physical fitness, collaboration, and character development through a variety of athletic activities. The text highlights correct form, the influence of guidance, and the importance of harmonizing passion with physical boundaries, discussing sports such as basketball, archery, and rowing.
Promoting fairness and recovery, it emphasizes athletics as a way to nurture self-control and ethical values, concluding that organized involvement in sports encourages both physical and moral development in girls.
Quotes from Girls and Athletics ()
“ It is a common tendency of the average American girl to throw her whole soul into the particular matter at hand. If it happens to be athletics, often her enthusiasm helped out by a thoroughly admirable spirit and by quite a lot of “grit”—as her brothers term it—keeps her playing when she is really tired out physically. This is the time where a coach—or if there is no coach, friendly advice—will show the girl that she is not getting any benefit out of the exercise, and she is running the risk of injuring herself. ”
“ Know your physical condition; use common sense and gauge the amount of exercise you take by your physical condition and stamina.Athletics as a builder of character are just as important as a builder of physical strength. Fair play and good sportsmanship are the two maxims kept constantly before the eye. A girl who has won the reputation of being a clean, square player is happy herself and is admired by all with whom she comes in contact. There is no higher compliment than to be called a “good sportswoman.” ”
