UNION’S DECISION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 284, 12 September 1933, Page 2

UNION’S DECISION

FOOTBALL IN ASHBURTON. TO REMAIN AT SHOWGROUNDS. DOMAIN PROPOSAL REJECTED. For the purpose of deciding whether the Ashburton Rugby Union should continue to stage its fixtures at the Showgrounds or hold them in .the Ashburton Domain in future, a special meeting of the Union was held last evening and, after a lengthy discussion, it was decided by 12 votes to 3 to remain at the Showgrounds. The president (Mr J. C. C. McLachlan) occupied the chair, presiding over a good attendance of delegates. The chairman said the object of the meeting was to decide definitely whether the Unioin should continue to rent the Showgrounds or go back to the Domain. Mr W. H. Savney said a change-over would entail several difficulties, it was contended by many that the Showgrounds was too far out of town, but there the Union was practically its own landlord. In the Domain, the Union could only get a small number of closed days, and this would seriously affect the finances. The facilities for dressing were not good, and the Union could not get the exclusive right of the Oval. Public patronage would probably be increased in the Domain, but he did not think enthusiasm in football was lacking as some people thought. All Unions were suffering financially at the present time, because people could not spend as freely as they might like to do. Football Not Attractive. The chairman said the Union could not be given the complete control of the Domain, and only 16 closed days were available each year. All sports bodies were entitled to their share of these. He considered that football was not sufficiently attractive to encourage the public. In the Domain at present they could only get three grounds, compared with five at the Showgrounds. Until football could be improved and the game put on the footing it held some years ago, the public would not support the Union. He submitted a statement of the gate receipts for the past ten yeafs at the Showgrounds, which was as follows:

Total Biggest receipts, gate. Rental.

Mr R. H. Loy said they had encountered many difficulties when at the Domain in the past, and a big one was keeping the public off the playing area. If the Union would be given only three, grounds in the Domain, it was not worth while making a move. He thought the public would go to 1 the Showgrounds if attractive football was offered. It was liis opinion that competition for the Delargey Shield again would considerably revive football in Ashburton.

Members said they were under the impression that three grounds in addition to the Oval had been offered.

Shouid Revert to Sub-Union.

Mr H. Porter said he thought the sooner the Ashburton Union reverted to a sub-Union the better. He would suggest that the Union keep the Showgrounds next season, and play one or two of the better games at the Domain to find out what public support would be forthcoming. Mr Loy reminded members that there were no facilities l'or showers or baths at the Showgrounds. Mr G , Dalton said the Methven Club was in favour of moving to the Domain, but after hearing the arguments he thought they should not leave the Showgrounds. The best thing was to improve the football, and this was a matter for the individual clubs to take up. He considered that the back play among the junior teams was better than that displayed by the back sections of the senior teams this season.

Mr jSarney said the failure of the teams to take the field at the time arranged did much to alienate public support.

The chairman said the Agricultural and Pastoral Association had been very generous to the Union. He thought they might apply for four closed days at the Domain, hut still remain at the Showgrounds. Members said that they did not consider it wise to divide the grounds. The Union should either play its matches at the Showgrounds or at the Domain, but not at both places.

AH Senior Matches in Town.

Mr D. H. Johnston said ho was in favour of playing all senior matches in town. The Union would then have an attractive bill-of-fare to offer the public.

Following further discussion, the meeting decided by 12 votes to 3, to remain at the Showgrounds. Mr Loy said a large section of the public would ho in favour of the Union reverting to a sub-Union. He recommended that the Union .should obtain the opinions of the various clubs on this matter, and discuss the question at a further general meeting. Mr E. S. Chambers seconded the motion.

Mr Johnston said ho was convinced that football in the County would benefit nvueh more from the matches with the bigger unions than if it played for the Delargey Shield. On the casting vote of the chairman, the recommendation, which was put in the form of a motion, was lost. It was decided that the clubs should be circularised on the matter of a re-

vision of the grades, as suggested by Mr 11. J. Chapman at the last annual meeting of the Union, and that this should be brought up at the next annual meeting.

1923 315 39 25 1924 402 34 25 1925 449 78 25 1926 381 71 25 1927 286 61 23 1928 379 69 25 1929 329 70 40 1930 259 56 40 1931 182 34 36 1932 133 24 27 1933 112 24 —