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William James Capper in Newport team that wins National Gymnastic competition.
The following appeared in a local newspaper, the Evening Express
on April 17th 1893.
Text:
National Gymnastic Challenge Shield.
Victory of Newport over Liverpool
The final round of the 200-guinea national challenge shield competition between Newport Fottball Club Gymnasium and Liverpool Gymnasium was held on Saturday, under the auspices of the National Physical Recreation Society. The Bishop of Liverpool (Dr. Ryle) presided. The Newport team were enthusiastically rceived on commencing the contest with the dumb-bell exercise. Their precision was slightly ahead of Liverpool ....W.J.Capper parallel bars 10, high jump 13; ...By their victory over Liverpool by six marks, Newport hold the shield until the next annual competition ...
Here is the medal which Will was awarded on this occasion:
Text (head) National Physical Recreation Society - this was a founder body of the British Olympic Association (see Wikipedia).
Text (tail) - Around the edge: Civium Vires Civitatis Vis (The strength of the citizens is the power of the state)
- In centre: 1892-3
- Around centre: Champion Eight W.J.Capper, (The gymnastic team was made up of eight members.)
Will was 20 years old. This was certainly a highlight of his sporting career and father John would certainly have taken great interest in it. (See also the family anecdote about Wills running.)
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