Likely Sponsor For Soccer

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31235, 6 December 1966, Page 21

Likely Sponsor For Soccer

The crucial issue of finding a sponsor for the newly-established southern league soccer competition may have been partially solved.

Schweppes (N.Z.), Ltd., which had recently proposed giving £3OOO a year towards the costs of a national league, is now considering sponsoring the three regional com petions— southern, central and northern. The sales manager for the company, Mr C. Garland, has told the Auckland Football Association, which originally negotiated with Schweppes, that his firm would now consider giving a separate amount to the three regions to help the teams with their travelling expenses. When the national league was started the amount allotted to the individual regions would be withdrawn and replaced by the £3OOO for the national competition. Representatives from South Island associations met in Timaru last Saturday and agreed to the formation of a southern league, comprising in its first season, two teams each from Canterbury, Otago and Southland.

The minor associations— North Otago, South Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury and the West Coast—will have the right to enter the competition in future seasons when they consider they have teams strong enough to participate. The Marlborough and Nelson associations will play in the central league, to be based at Wellington.