FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 61, 11 March 1916, Page 16

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. April 2 has been fixed as the date of the annual meeting of the New South Wales Rugby Union, when the season's programme will be decided on. Four thousand spectators, mostly in khaki, at the Queen's Club ground, London, witnessed a Rugby football match in which South African eoldiers beat New Zealand convalescents by 7 points to nil. Both teams were unbeaten durduring the inter-military series.

The Becretary of the Canterbury! Rugby Football Union has forwarded the 1 following circular to its clubs to be placed before them for their consideration: —Recognising that our Empire is sorely engaged in a life and death! struggle with a powerful and unscrupulous foe, and mindful, moreover, of the response made to duty's call by hundreds of our players, many of whom J have laid down their lives fighting for our liberties, your committee has deemed it necessary to eubmit certain! proposals for the consideration of the various clubs as to the programme of! matches to be carried out during thej coming season. Last rear some of our clubs were so depleted of members that! they were quite unable to keep their engagements, whilst others were just j struggling along. Since then, owing to the continual enlistment of players forj active service, the position has become, even more acute, and matters may be-1 come woree before the season progresses' very far. The committee, however, has; no cause to regret the position clubs \ find themselves in, realising to the full that the dearth of players and of mem-i bers has been brought about by a spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice commendable: alike to the clubs and the sport gener-j ally. On grounds of expediency, if not: for reasons of sentiment, your commit-! tee submits the following proposals for; approval or otherwise by the clubs: — 1. That all D.C.L. Sliiel.d (Senior), Junior Flag, President's Cup, Fourth and Fifth grade matches be suspended for thie year, and in lieu thereof there be held two competitions as under: — (a) First Grade—For players not over twenty years of age on January 1, 1916. (b) Second Grade—For players not over sixteen years of age on January 1. 1916. 2. That under exceptional circumstances, physical or otherwise, the Permit Committee shall have the power tc re-classify a First Grade player to Second Grade as it thinks fit. 3. That the cotnpetitian and permit rules as now existing be suspended during the current season 1916. 4. That, subject to the sanction of the general committee of the union, organisations other than the clubs of the ! union may enter teams for these competitions. 5. That the General Committee be asted to confer with the executive of the North Canterbury Public Schools' Athletic Association, in order that primary school footbkll may receive more encouragement and assistance during the coming season.

The above proposals will be submitted for the consideration of delegates at tae annual meeting of the union on March 2L

The Otago Rugby Union will hold its ann-ual meeting this month. So far nothing hae been done towards making arrangements to meet the demands of what threatens to be a lean season, though it would be well if Otago followed Canterbury's example and submitted proposaU to the clubs, says a Canterbury writer. The opinion, however, has been expressed that nothing can be done until the clubs meet and get some idea of their prospects. At present it looks as if there would be no Senior football, but it is impossible to state definitely what the chances are. It seems to mc to be a good chance to clear the game of some of its iniquities by inculcating the real spirit of play in the Juniors and in the schools. Too much flag and premiership competition has lowered the standard in Dunedin, and the game wants remodelling. This promises to be the season to introduce fresh methods or revive the best of the old.