Finance Problem For Junior Soccer Tour

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30535, 2 September 1964, Page 18

Finance Problem For Junior Soccer Tour

Application had been made to enter the Canterbury under 18 team, which won the Junior National Cup, in the Australian inter-state tournament and the acceptance was just "a ..formality,” the team's’selector (Mr R. Storer) told the Canterbury Football Association last evening. Apprqval for the trip had also been verbally received from the New Zealand ’ association, he said.

At present it was proposed to take 14 players at an estimated cost of £B6 per head, Mr Storer said. He would also accompany the team but was not sure about the position of the coaeh (Mr R. Cai ter). The tournament would be held between October 8 and October 12 at Adelaide and it was anticipated that the team would have to play about eight games.

Members expressed concern at the fact that only 14 players would be travelling and agreed that it would not be worth raising the money if Injuries cut the team down to sight for its final game*. The chairman (Mr J. Smith) Said that the team would need at least 16 players. Everybody in the team, as well as a few parents, were willing to do all they could to raise the necessary finance. Offers of assistance had come from quite a few persons connected with football and some donations had already been made. "We haven’t got long—only four weeks—but the boys are determined they are going,” said Mr Storer. He had made it quite clear to the boys that they would have to be responsible for raising, the money. Never Done Before

"Personally. I don’t see how you are going to raise the mcney,” said Mr T. Gottermeyer. He knew what the response had been to coaching and other appeals before. Finance had to coms from outside the association. “While I am quite in favour of trying to

help, we have got to be careful when it comes to dipping into our finances," Mr Gottermeyer said. He was concerned that a precedent might be set. "This is something which has not been done _ before. Enthusiasm will drive the thing along, ’* replied Mr Storer. It was agreed to circularise clubs asking for assistance. Business firms are also to be approached. Mr Storer was asked to report on-the financial situation at the next meeting and a decision would be made then Whether or Hot to carry on. Australia bad to know if the team was coming in reasonable time, Mr Smith said.

"International” Tourney The draw for the first matches of the "international” tournament at English Park on September 12 is: The Rest v. Scotland, New Zealand v. England. Preparations for noxt season's representative teams are already in hand. The Cowles stadium ha* been booked on three evenings a week in April, May, June and July for use by the official Canterbury coach (Mr R. Carter),