CLUB TOURS-FOR AND AGAINST Structure Of N.Z. Rugby Could Be Undermined

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30093, 29 March 1963, Page 15

CLUB TOURS-FOR AND AGAINST Structure Of N.Z. Rugby Could Be Undermined

Interference with club Rugby and the use of finance for private tours rather than for the promotion of club Rugby were the salient reasons why the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union will be asked to consider a proposal to exclude club tours to Australia from the period between March and September, said Mr T. C. Morrison, chairman of the union’s executive council, when telephoned by “The Press” yesterday. **With travel between Australia and New Zealand so much faster it is not hard to visualise these private tours by dubs reaching the stage where the whole structure of dub Rugby could be undermined,” said Mr Morrison.

“New Zealand Rugby is based on the club game. E teams are going to be absent for some weeks white competitions are played they probably will still field teams in New Zealand but the competition must suffer.” "Finance la another major point," said Mr Morrison. The ways and means of raising money for clubs could be eaten up by private tours. Club supporters can only give limited amounts of money to Rugby and if part of this is going on private tours then the club must suffer. Returning to the inroads that could be made on club Rugby, which he considered the most important point, Mr Morrison said that if club Rugby was strong then the clubs got back benefits. “If there are good gates for club Rugby then the local Rugby union can put this

money back into the sport by providing better grounds and facilities for players and spectators. But if interest in dub Rugby lessens because some teams are away then it will be the clubs themselves that will suffer eventually.” Another point that had to be considered was the effect on representative matches, he said. Most representative players could only get a limited amount of time off to , play Rugby and if they went on a private tour they might i not be able to find the time ; to pday for their province. , Something again which could have an advene effect on • local Rugby. i “However, the New Zealand • Union does not want to take i away the rights of dubs to i manage their own affairs and, within reason, to make these i tours. It is because we are i worried and disturbed over I this matter that I have sug- ■ gested that tours should only > be made before March and : after September, which will still give clubs an opportuni ity to make toun close to I the Rugby season,” said Mr i Morrison.