League Agrees To Live Telecasts

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30116, 27 April 1963, Page 12

League Agrees To Live Telecasts

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 26.

The New Zealand Rugby League has agreed to a live telecast of the final trial between the proven Kiwis and the “refresher course” team at Carlaw Park on May 4.

Delegates at the annual conference in Auckland today unanimously agreed to direct televising of matches staged by the national body.

The council was given permission to make the best possible arrangements it could with tihe authorities concerned.

. In presenting the case for television, Mr T. E. Skinner, of Wellington, said that he was confident that television would help increase the popularity of Rugby League.

“The sooner we start the sooner we will find out whether there are any real problems. Wk should get in on the ground floor and make use of the facilities that are available to us,” he said. “Telecasts will be about once every four or five weeks.” These will be made on the most important matches.

Dr. L. J. Cooney, tihe president of the League, said that the film would probably be sent to Australia and used as exchange for League films of the Kiwis’ tour of Australia, which begins on May 19. The motion to have direc 1 televising nationally was supported by Mr C. L. K. Gillam, the Auckland chairman.

“We will get League into areas where they have never seen the game played,’’ he said.

Auckland will begin direct televising in June, Mr Gillam said that the N.Z.B.C. had agreed to televise an Auckland club match on June 15

Wellington, Canterbury. West Coast and Otago were all agreeable to direct broadcast of matches staged by their provinces. Only Waikato expressed disapproval of televising direct games under their control. They were agreeable to delayed broadcasting.