OLYMPIC GAMES HOCKEY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27911, 7 March 1956, Page 6

OLYMPIC GAMES HOCKEY

NOMINATION BY N.Z. APPROVED FINANCIAL CONDITIONS ACCEPTED The New Zealand Hockey Association's nomination of New Zealand hockey for entry in the 1956 Olympic Games at Melbourne has been aproved by the New Zealand Olympic Association. The nomination for entry was unanimously approved at a meeting of the Hockey Association’s management committee last evening.

Approval was given on the condition that the New Zealand Hockey Association be prepared to accept any financial commitments. The nature and scope of assistance by the Olympic Association would be made known after the result of the public appeal for funds had been announced and the Hockey Association would be responsible for raising the balance. This condition was accepted by the committee.

A report on financing the New Zealand team was made by the association’s delegate to the Olympic Association (Mr J. L. Squire). He advised at this stage budgeting for the total amount required to send a team to Melbourne. He also gave a guide, using approximate figures, to the amount the association would be required to raise. It was decided that a sub-committee should be set up for consideration of the financial aspect of sending a team. It would report to the annual meeting of the association in April. Shield Tournament An application from the Southland association to have the New Zealand Hockey Shield, held by Auckland, at stake at a tournament to be held as part of the Southland centennial celebrations, was approved. The president (Mr L. H. Norton) objected to the move on the ground that a shield tournament should be held in a central venue so that all major associations could attend. “The main aim this year is to ensure that all candidates Tor an Olympic team should be on trial,” said Mr Norton. “Those players, if selected for an Olympic team, would incur a certain amount oi personal financial expense and should not be expected to incur additional expenses such as this tournament would entail.” He said that the success of a Southland tournament would still te ensured if secondary teams were to compete. He agreed that Southland deserved "the best of the association," but that the interests of Olympic players should be given first priority.

“It would kill the tournament if the shield was not taken to Invercargill,” said Mr E. S. Hobson. Others agreed that the association's obligations to Southland in its centennial year should be fulfilled. The conditions of the North-South match, also requested by Invercargill, will be decided at a later date. It was decided that the official match should not be played in that centre.

A suggested tour of New South Wales by a New Zealand minor and sub-as«oci-ations or country team was approved. It was decided to limit selection of members of the team to all those eligible for Norden Cup matches and so eliminate all major associations. The team will be called the New Zealand Country Team, and will begin its tour at the end of July. Nominations for selectors, players, and a manager will be called for April 23.