Travelling Teams Under Control

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31539, 29 November 1967, Page 18

Travelling Teams Under Control

The concern felt by the Canterbury Rugby Union about the behaviour of club teams when playing games away from Christchurch was shown when the management committee discussed at length last evening a form which clubs would have to complete before teams would be given permission to travel.

Although it was not mentioned in open meeting, it is understood that the unfavourable publicity of a bus trip by the Albion under-20 team last season prompted the drafting of the form by Mr N. D. Morris. The form, which will be sent to all clubs, says in its preface: "The management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union expects that teams granted permission to play away games will at all times maintain the highest standard of conduct This applies particularly in dress, behaviour while on tour, and bearing. “The manager will travel with the team and be responsible on behalf of his club and the Canterbury Rugby Union management committee for the full control of the tour."

Details which club secretaries will have to make available to the management committee when asking for permission to travel will include the team, grade and date of the match, the name of the manager and means of transport, the time of departure from Christchurch, the time of arrival at the place where the game is to be played; and the time of arrival back at Christchurch. Mr O. J. Hattersley said that when things went wrong on a trip the union had to take the blame. “This form should make club secretaries and teams travelling aware of their responsibilities,” he added.