JUNIOR SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 88, 14 April 1927, Page 14

JUNIOR SOCCER.

GROUNDS PROBLEM. DIFFICULTY IN GETTING A SUFFICIENT NUMBER. (LOSING DATE EXTENDED. Junior soccer football looks like booming this season unless the lack of sufficient grounds brings a set back. The question of the provision of playing fields in or about the city is one. according to the Junior Management Committee, that is sure to give trouble, probably more so this season than in the past seasons owing to the tremendous influx of clubs into the code and the demands of other bodies for sports areas. On Tuesday the committee discussed this and other important matters, Mr. G. H. Lee presiding over a huge attendance of members. The grounds trouble was brought up by the secretary, Mr. Beswick, when the subject of mid-week matches was brought forward. They had gone ahead and got extra clubs to compete this year, but little had been done about acquiring grounds. '"Wo are stuck." he said "for grounds for Saturday, for instance, as well as mid-week." It was stated that Mr. F. M. Ritchie. who had previously greatly interested himself in past seasons over the provision of playing fields, would not be available this season, and it was further explained that the Grammar schools, for instance, pay for so many nights a week, and that the juniors had to work in where they could. It was decided to leave the matter of ! the provision of mid-week grounds to Mr. Ballantyne. with Mr. Hodge as an I unofficial assistant. Saturday Problems. When the subject or grounds for Saturday play was raised, Mr. Beswick moved "That should it be necessary to send any teams under their management out of town, the Football Association be asked to pay their fares, and that this should apply to fifth, sixth and seventh grade teams." It was moved as an amendment "That the matter be deferred until more information <had been got as to grounds available," and this was carried. The subject will therefore almost certainly be brought forward next week. The secretary stated that several schools were quite willing to enter teams in the competitions if someone would look after the boys. It was stated that the Tramways had offered to provide coaches for boys' teams, and it was decided to ask tliem to help in the matter. The need for referees was advanced, and it was announced that the committee would be pleased to receive offers of help in this direction. It was agreed that Mr. Harrison should again take charge of Victoria Park on the Saturday mornings and Mr. Hodge on the Domain up to 12-30. For the secondary schools' competition ten clubs were repotted to have entered, including the Technical College (six teams). St. Stephen's College (Maori Bovs). M.A.G.S. (five), Kowhai Junior High School, the College Wanderers and probably the Sacred Heart College. One master, it was reported, had stated that he would enter the school teams in the competition provided they play on the Saturday. His offer was appreciated, but the committee felt it would be impossible to run the competition on a Saturday, as it would interfere seriously with every club playing in the grades. Two members were appointed to explain the position to the master. Mr. Beswick suggested that the rules for the secondary' competition should be the same as govern the primary schools, age excepted, and a subcommittee, Messrs. Lee, Beswick and Adams, was appointed to go into the matter. Rules Explained. The Y.M.C.A. asked if the measurements of boys in the seventh grade had to be made in stockinged feet or football boots, and the reply was given, in stockings. It was stated that boys had to be measured by the official measurers, and Mr. Hodge" and Mr. Harrison were re-appointed to the positions. The rule regarding the age limit for the various grades came up for definition. A seventh grade team wanted to know "if a boy was still eligible to play if he became the age limit on Jan. 1. Ihe reply given was no, he must be under 13 on Jan. 1. In all cases it was intended to bo so read, allowance being made for the respective age limits. In answer to a question on transfers it was announced that it was only necessary to get transfers during the plaving season. It was decided to extend the closing date for entries until the 18th instant, as it seemed to be the general feeling that thev could not start their matches on the 23rd as the seniors arc doing.