Among Their Souvenirs

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29058, 21 November 1959, Page 5

Among Their Souvenirs

Over the years the practice has grown among senior representative Rugby players in Canterbury of “souveniring” a representative jersey towards the close of the season, and while this practice remained within reasonable limits, the union’s management committee turned a Nelsonian eye towards those who sought some tangible reminder of past glories. In recent times, however, “souveniring” of jerseys has increased alarmingly until it has reached such large proportions that the euphemistic term “souveniring” can no longer apply. A more apt word would be “pilfering.” Fair Game In many quarters the Rugby Union is looked upon as a wealthy organisation and one which is fair game. But this, surely, could not be the attitude of senior players who form but a small section of the Rugby players to whom the union’s finances belong, As the president (Mr H. C. Blazey) said this week, the souveniring of jerseys worn in the Canterbury-British Isles game was readily understandable. But there can be no explanation for the loss of 10 jerseys after the team photograph, and 17 after the Auckland match. Most of the members in the Canterbury team are old campaigners and it would be extremely surprising not to find that most of them had at least one Canterbury jersey at the start of the season. Why they should require another two, and in some cases three, during the season, is beyond comprehension. Tolerant

In the past the union has been fairly tolerant about the matter. But the players’ attitude this year called for stringent measures and the management committee has quite rightly adopted a stricter policy. Should this not succeed, it would not be beyond the realms of possibility that future representatives might have to sign for their equipment before and after each game.