SOCCER KICK-OFF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 74, 29 March 1933, Page 13

SOCCER KICK-OFF.

OPENING DATE, APRIL 22.

N.Z. TOURING TEAM SELECTION.

AUCKLAND T. WELLINGTON MATCH.

The newly-elected control board of the A.F.A. met for the first time last evening and was confronted Immediately with several questions of more than ordinary importance to the code. Dr. Neil McDougall was re-elected chairman and he extended a welcome to Mr. W. D. M. Glaister, the only new member of the board.

The mode of selection of the New Zealand team to tour Australia, and the match between Wellington and Auckland for the Frank Campbell Cup, created considerable discussion, mostly regarding the terms proposed by Wellington tor the visit of the Auckland reps. The North v. South Island trial match is fixed for Easter Saturday and the Wellington v. Auckland game on the Monday. Wellington undertook responsibility for six players and a manager of the Auckland team, presuming that the New Zealand Council would be responsible for any Auckland players who might be chosen to take part in the North v. South trial game. The board felt that Ihis proposal was unsatisfactory and decided that Wellington should make the same offer as had Auckland last season, namely, full responsibility for the entire team and the manager. The selection of the New Zealand team was involved in the discussion, Mr. A. E. Backhouse, the Auckland selector, reporting on the communications that had passed between himself and Mr. Hicks, of Wellington, who will be jointly responsible for choosing the North Island representatives, In which six places have been allotted to Auckland. The position of the country players, recommended from Hamilton as possibilities for the tour, was raised and their chances of taking part in the trial. The board felt that the New Zealand Council should be approached on behalf of three nominees from Hamilton whom the Waikato selector considers worthy of selection, but whose inclusion in the North Island team may raise some difficulty. The secretary was authorised to write to the Wellington Association in the first place regarding the terms of the visit of the Auckland team and to point out to the New Zealand Council that no arrangements seemed to have been considered to allow of the country players being given an opportunity to play in Wellington in the trial games. The board decided to open the season on April 22 with a seven-a-side tourney on Blandford Park, senior clubs to be allowed to enter two teams, and second and third grade clubs one each (entries 2/6 per team). The competitions proper will commence on April 29, entries to close on April 11 both for the competitions and the seven-a-side.

Question of Suspended Players. The matter of suspended players playing for other codes and vice versa was discussed,, and, in view of the agreement already existing between the association and the Rugby Union and Hockey Association, it was decided to invite the Rugby League to co-operate in this connection.

The carrying on of the present insurance scheme was discussed, and clubs are to be asked to consider the matter. Free admission to Blandford Park was granted tq injured players.

The thanks of tne M.C.'C. team for the expression of good -wishes, forwarded from the annual meeting of the association, was received from the manager, Mr. P. P. Warner. A vote of condolence was passed to the relatives of the late Mr. Morgan Blandford, after whom, the association s ground is named; also with Mr. A. Eraser an the, death of his son, Mr. W. Eraser. Comrades and Abels applied for promotion to senior grade should vacancies, occur, and the applications were held over pending the calling of entries. The following committees were appointed :—Finance, Messrs. D. M. Glaister, A Fletcher, H. Cribble, P. Ritchie (convener) ; emergency, Messrs. P. Neesham (convener), P. H. Baker, F. Ritchie; entertainment, Messrs. P H Baker (convener), 1 Ball W Walker, H. Gribble; advertising and' publicity, Messrs. P. H. Baker; P. Neesham, J.' Ball. The following appointments _were made:—Judicial committee, Mr. W. E. Grant; grounds committee, Mr. P. Ritchie , minor division, Mr. A. Fletcher; Blandford Park superintendent, Mr. P. Ritchie; team steward Mr. A. O'Hagan; sole selector, Mr AE. Backhouse. Mr. C. J. Williams took Ms seat on the hoard as representative of the Secondary Schools Association and it was reported that Mr. E. Parkinson would be the Referees' Association representative Mr. S. R. Massam was re-elected secretary and Mr. Howard Gribble treasurer, while Mr. W. Walker was elected to fill the vacancy on the hoard caused bv the resignation of Mr. Scott-Ramsay. Mr. P. R. Baker was re-elected deputychairman.