Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-06-07
RIVAL FOR THE A. A. q.
Y. NJ. G. A. Athletes Form the League Of
North America.

NOEbn AuhtIlCas
An athletic organization, which will be
known "a the Y. NJ. G. A. Athletic League
of North. America, was organized at Spring
field recently. The scheme has been under
way f0S some time past, but as the pro-
moNrs 81 the idea did not want to let the
sporting public know of its existence the
fact only leaked out a few days ago. The
organization will not be local in character,
the idea being to control all branches OF
athletics in the Y. NJ. G. A. in this coun-
try and Canada. The new organization
will be controlled by the international
committee of the Christian association.
All the branches in the country will be
forced to become members of the associa.
ton, so that the body will be as strong ii
not stronger than the present Amateur
Athletic union.
A very important rule of the new organ
ization Is that competitors must be mem.
bers of the Y. NJ. G. A. to be eligible to
compete under the auspices of the Y. NJ.
G. A. Athletic League of North America.
This makes it imperative for members to
sever active connections with other athletic
associations if they wish to compete in Y.
NJ. G. A. contests. 1t is u patent fact that
time have many recruits from the Chris
tian associations and as these branches
outnumbcr the athletic organizations of
this country it is moro than likely that the
new league will prove prominent factor
in future sports. Thousands of young
men, ranging from IA to 20 years of age,
will be taught the Y. NJ. G. A. system of
training as the true system.
A prominent leader in Y. NJ. G. A. ath-
letics outlines the campaign of the new
league as follows:
"This association has been formed for
the express purpose of doing away with
the old system of athletics in vogue at the
present time. We do not believe in advo-
eating specialties in athletics. This is en-
tirely against the teaching Of the Y. NJ. G.
A, and it is bad for the physical health of
our members. Our idea is to develop
man all around, in running as well as in
jumping, in walking rs well rs in weight
throwing. To quote from the constitution
of the league, It's object is the cultivation
of all around manhood among members of
the Y. NJ. G. A, the governing Of uniform
department tests and the awarding of the
associations championship.
AS tho A. A. U. Is divided into districts
the Y. NJ. G. A. will be divided into Sec
tions A governing board will look after
the interests Of the various sections. In
the latter respect the association has fol-
lowed the mode Of tho A. A. U. The con-
stitution places the entrance fee for q
branch at $40. Only amateurs can COM
pete in the games. An amateur is defined
as follows: One who has never competed
for or received money or valuable prizes in
connection with any branch of sport, and
who is not an employee of branch. Dis
trict and championship meetings will be
held annually
This action on the part Of Y. NJ. G. A.
officials may precipitate a bigger athletic
war than that which exploded the N A.
A. A. A. some years ago. The A. A. U.
claims jurisdiction over all amateur ath-
letics in the United States. 1t did not in
terfere with strictly Y. NJ. G. A. contests
until last season, when ukase was issued
obliging Y. NJ. @. A. promoters Of any
games in which more than one club figured
to register and have their date and pro-
gramme sanctioned. The storm has been
brewing sinca but crisis may be evaded
by the fact that tho Y. NJ. G. A. advocates
general physical culture, while the other
body offers inducements for proficiency in
each event.-New York Sun.