FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17701, 1 March 1923, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

RtJGBY. SYSTEMATIC TRAINING URGED. (Bwciu, to "the rxr.ss.") VfELLHTOTON, February S3. Tho annual report of the W«llington Rugby Union, referring to the deterioration in the standard of play, mentions the fact thai the senior representatives' play fell short of that of previous years. Many players suffered injuries in cup matches and were therefore not available for representative futures. Others, ftgttin, were unable to obtain the necessary leave, but wen taking these factors into consideration, » is difficult account for the indifferent display. To some extent the change in play consequent upon the introduction of the kick into touch rule, may have affected the standard, but the main reason seemed to be a laok of. keenness and combination on the part cf the players and the play generally tended to become ragged and disjointed. The question of systematic training will require feerimiij consideration if Wellington is to regain her previous position, and clubs and players alike are urged to give the matter their earnest attention. There is a dearth of playing grounds in "Wellington, and land for this purpose will irave to bo purchased. NEW ZEALAND UNION. (rassa association nussaiu.) WEiiUUN(jTON, February 29, "What may be the Mat meeting of Uie preBtnV council of' the New Zeajand Riugby Union waa' held to-night. The chairman said the Olympics Council waß taking over the Empire Exhibition sports and Olyzupio {James. A letter from the New South Wiles Rugby Union emphasised the positive necessity ot % visit by a .team from New Zealand to them early during the coming season. Without such a visit their Union would be unable' to hold the shew ground, which was tha only ground in Sydney suitablo for important fixtures. The sh6w authorities were pressing for a list of such matches. Tho position was so serious that they wero prepared to send t representative of their committee to New Zealand to meet the Union. Tho chairman reported that a letter waa sent on February 38th asking the KTw South Wales Union if they would accept a visit from a Maori team of QQ players season, the team to j.lay three or four matches, but not mora, A letter had also been' sent to Mr W. T. Parata saying that the playiner e\f the "T« Mori" rose bowl matoh would present an excellent opportunity of selecting a team for New South Wales, and that on the_ return of the team to New Zealand a. series of seven matches should be arranged, ccvering tha South Island. The balance-sheet oi the New Zealand tour lin New South Walos was received, and thowed a profit oi £463 6s 2d, The Ashburton County Sub-Union wrote asking for a loan to enable it to purchase 12 acres! of land for football grounds. It was decided to reply .thai the application must be made through thd Canterbury Union. ,i The question of granting a loan to Pov* erty Bay was deferred till next meeting. The New South Wales Rugby Uniolf wrote in reference to the proposed visit of a New South Wales team to New Zealand during the coming season, and -suggested! that the New South Wales team should sail on August 20th, in time to play the firpt teet match on August 2oth. - It waa decided that the n ahamM draw up as itinerary to be considered; at the next meeting, and submitted -to the an> nual meeting on April 26th.

TECHNICAL COLLEGE CLUB. The annual meeting of the Technical Col-* lege Old Boys' Football Club was 'held last 'night, Mr C. J, Goldstone presiding ovei a large attendance, The annual report stated that last sei* son had been a satisfactory one for the club, although the juniors in soma cases had not been ut enthusiwtio as they might have been in' the matter of attendance at) The club had entered a team in the junior grade and another one in the third grade. This team did extremely well, as it was the youngest and lightest team in the competition. The financial position of the club was good, there being a credit balance of £l7 IBs. The report was adopted. '' The following officers ware elected:—Patron, Dr. D, E. Hansen; president, Mr C.! J. Golds tone; vice-president, Mr D. Arnott; I club captain, Mr L. Mardon; deputy-cap* tain, Mr T. Perry j sooretary, Mr W. D. Johnston j assistant secretary, Mr J. C. Prioe; .oommittco, Mesars W. Perry, M, Mardon, A. Chrietensen. B. Mitchell, F. Cooke, S. Bamford, L.Hobbs; delegate to the Bugby Union. Mi 0. J. Golds tone; delegate Past «« Present Students' Association, Mr J. Jensen.