SOCCER TOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 26 February 1923, Page 3

SOCCER TOURS.

DISCUSSED BY HZ. COUHCIL. ENGLISH TEAM UNLIKELY.. S The matter of projected football tOUTi jeLr^aif^^raMr^ particulars of the arrangements made foj ♦h» visit of the New Zealand team to Aβ* trSJ The team will play in Bydney. PranvlUe the Sonth Coast. Newcastle, Sβ LUhgow. An.ld.fe &£»* Ipswich, Toowoomba: then returning » Sydney, and afterwards visiting GoulbMß Correspondence wae read In regard to th* proposed visit of a team from the Old Country to the Dominion. _»»•_— The secretary of the Football Assodattoß at Home (Mr. F. J. Wall) forwarded a cony of the last communication sent to the Commonwealth Association with regard to tn« proposed tour. The letter in question stated that Inquiries had been made at the universities, senior amateur clubs, and professional clubs, with the result that a teas mast consist of professionals, amateurs not being able to get away for six months. That would mean an Increased cost for etc., of between £6000 and fTOOO. Mr. A. G. Gibbs, New Zealand representative at Home, suggested that the visit of a Canadian team would help to boom the game. He added that the International Selection Committee had gone to a great deal of trouble In making inquiries as to the possibility of securing players to term such a team.

Mr. Graves said he did not think M«w Zealand had been treated too well in the matter. He could not believe an amateur team was not available, but, If bo, they should confine their efforts to getting a team from Canada, Australia, and Sooth Africa.

The chairman said he also was disappointed. It had seemed likely as If It w«« possible to get an English team out, but ht was afraid an amateur team could not M obtained.

Mr. Walls said that If the- inrlted ft team from South Africa or Canada ther would get as fine a team as a secondary one from the Old Country.

It was decided to hold the matter orer. Mr. A. Wakelyn. secretary of the Albert* Football Association, Canada, wrote, under date January 11 last, saying it had come to his notice through the Preea that New Zealand wag anxious to secure a visit of ft Canadian team. He forwarded a photograph of their team which won the Dominion championship last season. The club in th« past had done considerable touring. In 1910 they travelled over 5000 miles in their Dominion, and won the People's Shield, then emblematic of tbe Dominion championship. In 1911 they travelled to the Old Country and played exhibition games with many" of the leafllng clubs. Last year they won triple honours, viz.. the X'ity and Olstrict League, the provincial championship, and : the Dominion championship. The cloo would be pleased to hear as to the terms If New Zealand thought it advisable to secure j the visit of a Canadian team.