HMAS TINGIRA boys boxing championship trophy, 1924
Date1924
Object number00015190
NameTrophy
MediumElectroplated nickel silver
DimensionsOverall: 157 x 71 mm, 0.2 kg
Display Dimensions: 158 x 73 x 73 mm
Display Dimensions: 158 x 73 x 73 mm
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA cup trophy inscribed '1924 RAN. Boxing. Boy's c'ships. Winner Bantum Weight. Boy Egan. HMAS TINGIRA'.HistoryHMAS TINGIRA was the RAN's first training ship.The first 3000 Australian naval ratings trained on the ship between 1913 and 1927. Boy sailors were aged between 14 and 16. They lived on the ship, had lessons in its classroom, were trained in naval practices and field drill, and paraded and played sport at Lyne Park at Rose Bay in Sydney where the ship was moored.
Strenuous physical sport including boxing was part of theirroutine. Competitions were conducted to encourage proficiency strengthen morale, and work off high spirits. Competitive sport has always been a feature of naval life, with competitions between ships and fleets as well as within ships. Boxing was a strong sport on Tingira which is often mentioned in the reminiscences of old TINGIRA Boys.SignificanceThe cup awarded to Boy Egan in 1924 is a nice symbol of the way sport and competition were used in the training of young sailors.
