THE ONLOOKER'S VIEWPOINT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 94, 22 April 1926, Page 12

THE ONLOOKER'S VIEWPOINT.

SOCCER IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. "Footer" writes:— "As a keen football enthusiast I was disappointed to learn that the head of Auckland's principal secondary school, to wit Mr. Drummond of Auckland Grammar School, had vetoed the suggestion that his school enter a Soccer team in a secondary schools' competition with Mount Albert Grammar and others. The reason stated, I understand, was that an unhealthy rivalry would be created between the Rugby and Soccer boys, and this despite the fact that hockey is a recognised school sport. "Why should the Soccer boys be thus penalised? There are actually 300 boys of the Grammar School playing Soccer with various teams. At Otago Boys' High School. Rugby, Soccer and hockey are all allowed to be played by recognised school teams, although' Rugby is recognised as the premier school winter sport. As a former member of the Otago Boys' HlgU School Soccer eleven, and also cricket eleven. I can vouch for the fact that at no time have there been anything but the most cordial of relations between the Rugby and Soccer fellows. Nor has the introduction of Soccer as a school game adversely affected the personnel or strength of the school fifteen, which has always been most successful In competition, and what is more important, inter-school matches. "I am sure that the headmaster of Mount Albert Grammar School is not regretting his allowing Soccer in the school. His first eleven are 'travelling to Dunedin this year to endeavour to capture the Skerrett Cup, a handsome trophy presented by tfie present Chief Justice for inter-secondary schools competition, from Otago Boys' High School, and may good luck attend their efforts, though as the captain of the first eleven to capture the trophy I would be loathe to see it leave my old school. "Surely the parents of the 300 hoys affected will not remain passive. They should present their arguments before Mr. Drummond and endeavour to persuade him that it would be to his school's advantage to have a Soccerr eleven. Every assistance would, I am sure, be granted to school teams if organised by the Auckland Football Association. Rugby players at Auckland Grammar would, I am certain, be the first to recognise that no matter what the merits or demerits of a game in their opinions, a fellow-student Bhould be free to play his favourite game."