CLUBS A FIFTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 55, 6 March 1931, Page 13

CLUBS A FIFTH.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL "GATES."

SEVEN-MEMBER MANAGEMENT

SCHEME FOR NEW SEASON.

A more cheering prospect for Rugby League football clubs is in store in Auckland this season, when, if the special committee's latest recommendations are adopted, winning senior teams will divide 12-J. per cent of the net gate takings each week-end, and losing teams will share a trifle less. Other administrative variations are involved, including a reduction of the management officials from a body of 22 by curtailment of club representation on the committee of control. Dealing with suggestions made last season for drastic changes to develop the code here, the special committee of the Auckland Rugby League met until the end of the year, and resumed last month. A week ago careful examination vvas made of the constitution, rules and by-laws, and various amendments were completed after a second meeting this week. A thorough analysis was also made of annual revenue and expenditure, with a view to the operation of the new scheme of club finance in the season ahead. With the hearty support of the Auckland League, the committee evolved a special plan for reduction of senior teams to seven, and the introduction of senior reserve teams, these being amongst the first recommendations adopted. The proposal to allow clubs to participate in a percentage of the gate takings was also approved. Two Senior Club Delegates. The new management recommended is to consist of the chairman (trustee or trustees' nominee), secretary, treasurer, chairman of the junior management committee, a delegate from the Referees' Association, and two members elected annually to represent senior clubs, each club to be entitled to one vote at this election. Management committeemen, each having one vote, shall neither be members of any club nor actively interested in any club.

Nominations for the two club representatives on the management must be lodged 14 days before the annual meeting of the League, and the sitting management, in reserving the power to reject any nomination, concedes the right of substitution of the rejected nomina-tion-or nominations by the clubs. Ballot papers with the names of club nominees are required to bo returned sealed to the secretary of the Auckland Rugby League 24 hours prior to the annual meeting, when the result of the ballot will be declared.

The management committee is constituted a judicial committee to hear' protests, appeals and offences prejudi-i cial to the code, its officials or management, and adjudicate thereon. Eight of appeal to the New Zealand Rugby League is retained.

In fixing the maximum number of senior clubs at seven, the committee suggested that each club must be in a position to field a reserve grade team of sufficient calibre to satisfy the management committee. Non-compliance with this clause would be considered reason to declare vacant the club's position in the senior grade and (or) forfeiture of any benefits from the percentage rule, at the discretion of the management committee. At the end of each season the said committee reserved the right to match the two lowest teams in the competition with a view either to eliminating the losers o'r compelling them to conform to a satisfactory standard of play, failure to do which would be sufficient to cause compulsory withdrawal from the grade. 1 Affiliation fees are to be' paid within one week after the annual meeting, when the amount is decided. Any club defaulting in payment shall be suspended until payment is made. Sharing Gate Revenue. In the premier competition the clubs shall divide 20 per cent of the gate takings, on the basis of 12J per lucent to winners, and the balance to losers. The sum of 75 per cent of each club's credit will be paid at the end of each calendar month, the balance to be retained by the A.R.L. and paid within two weeks of the completion of the competition. A minute was placed on the book that the operation of this rule be reviewed at the end of the first round.

These and other recommendations will be submitted to the Auckland Rugby League management committee for consideration and adoption at its next meeting.