HOCKEY FOUR LETTERS SEEKING GAMES WITH N.Z. TEAMS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29273, 3 August 1960, Page 15

HOCKEY FOUR LETTERS SEEKING GAMES WITH N.Z. TEAMS

Evidence of the recognition of New Zealand hockey save satisfaction to members of the management committee of the New Zealand Hockey Association last evening. At the committee's meeting correspondence was received from the Singapore, Egyptian. All-Indonesian. and Queensland Hockey Associations seeking matches with New Zealand teams. Tile manager of the "New Zealand Olympic hockey team (Mr J. L. Squire) has been authorised by the committee to make a decision on whether the team should accept an invitation from the All-Indonesian Hockey Association to play matches during three days in Djakarta on its return from the Olympic Games at Rome. The committee agreed it was favourably disposed to the request to play games there, but would refer the matter to the. team manager. The treasurer (Mr W. H. Down) said New Zealand might consider sending a team to the Asian Gaines in the near future, and the games in Indonesia would be a great training ground. ‘'Even if only one game was played there it would be worth while.” said Mr Down. The chairman (Mr J. G. Leggat) said he considered the most the committee could do was to give Mr Squire the discretion to do what he could.

With greater emphasis being placed on the results of international tournaments around the world by the International Hockey Federation to decide what countries would compete in hockey at future Olympic Games, games for New Zealand in Indonesia could be a yardstick, said the secretary (Mr E. S. Hobson). Singapore Games Details were received from the Singapore Hockey Association of arrangements for the matches to be played by the New Zealand Olympic team on the way to Rome on August 10 and 11. One of the games would probably be against the national team of the State of Singapore, and the other against a combined MalayaSingapore side, said the letter. Financial arrangements for the games would involve 60 per cent, of the gross takings going to the New Zealand association.

Saying that it had received the approval of the Australian Hockey Association to negotiate, the Queensland Hockey Association wrote inquiring whether a team could tour New Zealand in 1961. The Australian national championships will be held in Queensland next year, and the Queensland association felt it could send a very strong team on tour, said the letter. It suggested the team to arrive in Christchurch on August 3. 1961, and depart on August 27. Thirteen games were suggested, and the team would consist of 16 players and a manager. The team would be responsible for transport to and from New Zealand,

and associations in this country would be responsible for billets for the team and hotel accommodation for the manager, and all transport within the country. The tour had probably been sought as a return visit for the trip made by the West Coast Maadi Cup team to Queensland, said Mr Leggat. He considered the approach should have been made through the Australian Hockey Association. but that the letter should be forwarded to the West Coast association for consideration. Tours such as that from Australian sectional teams would probably not do New Zealand hockey a great deal of good, said Mr C. A. Rogers. New Zealand was heavily committed with finance for Olympic Games and other tours. The letter has been forwarded to the West Coast for further action. Cable from Egypt The fourth communication received at last evening's meeting was from an Egyptian hockey official, who cabled advice that an international tournament was being held in Cairo at the end of September and the beginning of October. Six teams would compete, and New Zealand was invited to take part.

"This is an extremely good gesture by Egypt, and it is gratifying to know we are held in such regard in that part of the world.” said Mr Leggat. “However, our team has other commitments and will not even be passing through Cairo on its return from Rome."