League Club Offers To Rugby Players

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29832, 26 May 1962, Page 10

League Club Offers To Rugby Players

Reports that a Christchurch Rugby League club had made financial offers to a retired player to transfer from another Rugby League club this season and to several Christchurch senior Rugby players during the last two seasons, have been confirmed by “The Press.” None of the players concerned has accepted the offers.

Players who accepted financial offers to play Rugby League were not professionals. the chairman of the Canterbury Rugby League <Mr E. G. Blazey) said yesterday. A player who accepted was not a professional as he was not being paid by the parent body (the Canterbury Rugby League), Mr Blazey said. Rugby League in New Zealand was “definitely an amateur game.” The constitution of the Canterbury Rugby League says: “No playing member shall derive any benefit or participate in the distribution of the assets.” Mr Blazey emphasised that the "assets” referred to those of the Canterbury Rugby League

and not to those of the club concerned.

“It has nothing to do with us. If the clubs want to do these things they can do it—they can do what they like with their finances,” said Mr Blazey. He was unaware that offers had been made to Rugby players but had "heard all sorts of rumours” about Rugby League players being approached.