YEARS OF SPORTS By BRIGADIER W. W. REID , D.S.O. The City of Charlottetown has been, through its first one hundred years of development, one of the most sport-minded cities in the world. This fact has been due in no small measure to the diversified weather conditions of Prince Edward Island , to the natural facilities afforded Charlottetpwn by nature herself and to the innate love for sport and recreation in pur citizens handed down from generation to generation. The troops of the Old British Garrisons stationed in Charlottetown and the sailors from visiting ships were perhaps the first participants in organized Charlottetown sport. Old records show that the game of cricket was widely played in the City during the 1850's and held its popularity until early in this Century. Football (rugby) and hurley (fore-runner of hockey) were also played on the city streets by the younger people as early as 1851. In 1863 Mrs. Cantello Buris opened the first dancing academy in Charlottetown which kept its doors opened until the 1890's. Perhaps the most important single event in Charlottetown 's athletic history was the founding of the Y.M.C.A . in 1863. Becords show that this building was the first of its kind to open in . The first indoor skating rink opened its doors early in 1872 and was followed by the organization of the Prince Edward Island Bifle Association in 1875. This Association was verjr successful and produced many famous Bisley shots during the many years since its inauguration. The first game of lacrosse was played on the grounds of the Government House in 1877 and the first lawn tennis match was played at the same place later on in 1883. Tennis proved to be so popular that in 1889 a club was formed and named "The Charlottetown Lawn Tennis Club". This club operated successfully for many years. In 1886, after only two years practice play, the Abegweit Club Bugby team, representing the city's best athletes, defeated Pictou, Nova Scotia , and thirteen other teams to win the Maritime title for the first time. The Abegweit Athletic Club represents the city's oldest and only incorporated athletic association which still functions today in the promo¬ tion and direction of amateur athletics in Charlottetown . The Charlottetown and The Exhibition held its first opening in the summer of 1890 and has increased in size and 54