THE LEAGUE GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 92, 18 April 1935, Page 13

THE LEAGUE GAME.

AUCKLAND AFFAIRS.

OPENING DAY DRAW.

THREE SELECTOR SYSTEM RETAINED.

At the meeting of the Auckland Rugby League Board of Control last evening, Mr. G. Grey Campbell presiding, the opening draw for the senior championship, starting on April 27, to be confined to two rounds, resulted as follows: —City Rovers v. Mount Albert United, No. 1, CarlaW Park, 1.30 p.m.; Newton Rangers v. Richmond Rovers, No. 1, 3 p.m.; Devonport United v. Marist Old Boys, No.

. By a majority the clubs expressed a preference for three selectors, rather than a sole selector. A suggestion of one club that no selector should be connected with a club or management caused some discussion, the chairman stating that possibly there might be some grounds for the point raised. Mr. Rukutai, with the support of Mi. L. Binns, said he thought that when it came to actual selection of the Auckland team, experience showed that the best team always was chosen. It was felt that the selectors should be men actively connected with the game. In Sydney five selectors were ajipointed, irrespective of their identification with clubs or control. The board decided to take no action in the direction suggested, and the nominations for three selectors will be dealt with next week. Mr. D. Wilkie advised that as a result of a conference of junior delegates, he was asked to press for an alteration in transfer rules to protect junior elubs from senior clubs. The senior B grade also desired the right to play a match with the "wooden-spooners" of the top grade. The chairman said the board had granted the senior B status for the strengthening of teams and it seemed that something more important was wanted now.

Mr. Wilkie said the senior B winners merely wanted the right to challenge the senior "wooden-spooners," without necessarily demanding promotion as a result of a challenge contest. Mr. Campbell said the senior B had the right to enter for the senior competition or of nominating for the Koope Rooster, and- he thought that a clause providing for the senior B winners to challenge the senior "wooden-spooners," was entirely unnecessary, and, in any case, could not be adopted, without creating other difficulties. The demand now made was also contrary to policy. Because a senior team happened one year to fall to the bottom of the ladder and was beaten by a senior B team, was not every reason why the senior club should be displaced from senior rank. Mr. Campbell agreed that- some more protection should be given to senior B and junior teams, and that probably could be best effected by raising the transfer fee, now £1. At the same time the progress of a player had to be considered. The chairman agreed to confer with the junior 'committee and delegates to discuss these matters. The board decided to broadcast from Carlaw Park this season through IZB station. It was decided to convene a special meeting of all club coaches and team captains on Thursday evening at Carlaw Park, to meet the referees in connection with the latest amendments to rules. The appointment by the Referees' Association .of Mr. Arthur Ball as third member of the Appointments' Board was approved. A request by the Manukau Club for an early senior fixture at Ohehunga was approved, the arrangement being left in abeyance. In accepting the position of vice-patron, Mr. J. F. W. Dickson advised that he would, as last year, present two medalsone for the most sportsmanlike senior player and one for the third grade. The primary school committee advised its officers for the year as follows: — Patron. Dr. M. G. Pezaro: president, Mr. R. E. Newport; chairman, Mr. A. Stanley; secretary, Mr. L. 'Rout; selector, Mr. S. Dickey. An alteration to the constitution provided that schoolboys should not exceed 7.7, and not be more than 14 years of age at the beginning of the season.