Rugby Youth WEEKLY REVIEW

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31768, 27 August 1968, Page 10

Rugby Youth WEEKLY REVIEW

Rugby Season Over: How Many Will Return ?

Club Rugby has finished for 1968 and those who have no representative games or social games with other clubs outside Christchurch to play can clean their boots, jerseys and shorts and put them away for the next member of the family to grow into them.

Now that the playing is over there is a chance to reflect on what the game has achieved for some of the young players. There were 55 teams in the under sst section this year, involving more than 1000 boys. How many of these will play Rugby again? If the record of past seasons gives any guide many will leave Rugby. There are only 34 teams in the sst 71b section and the numbers decrease as the weight limit or age limit rises. Of course, many boys remain in the under sst grade for another year, but it is accepted that some parents, disillusioned by the game after the season, or boys who have not had a happy season, will leave the game and turn to something else on Saturday.

It will be a good commentary on the attitude of clubs to young players to see how many boys In each club return next year. If the clubs cannot provide a coach throughout the season it is unlikely that the boys will return to a game that has brought them few oranges and many defaulted games or severe defeats; and those clubs which have provided well-organised administration of lower grade teams with support from the more senior teams can feel assured of large numbers returning for more games.

It is not necessarily boys who have been in losing teams all season who will leave the game but those who have played in an unhappy and disorganised atmosphere. Now is the time for clubs to think whether their administration of lower grade football is good enough. It is becoming essential for every club to have an under-weight and under-age administration for their own survival. An important and more recent addition is a supporters section to bring parents and administrators together.

The coach of the Linwood under sst C team, Mr G. Forsyth, summed up the correct attitude to the game when at the end of the season he said that although the team did not end at the top of the competition every boy in the squad of more than 20 boys played each week for at least half a game.

It did not help to win games, he said, but it did keep the boys happy and gave him a chance to teach them the rules and skills of the game. It also ensured the club that the boys will want to play again. The Linwood B team in the sst 71b C grade has not distinguished itself in competition points but it has progressed from a ragged group of individuals to a well-knit unit which has learnt to pass the ball and play as a team.

under the guidance of their coach, Mr C. Bowley. The Suburbs under 6st 71b A team won the section, winning 12 games and drawing two. Under the capable direction of Mr A. Branthwaite and Mr B. Chandler, the team scored 216 points. Ten players in the team scored tries, sufficient proof that the team is passing the ball and covering. Two players gained a place in the Canterbury representative team; Graham Derbridge, the half-back and Gregory Sparks, the centre. Sydenham under Bst 71b developed into quite a good side as the season progressed. Six of the team were light enough to play in the under 7st 71b grade and five of the players were still going to primary school. Stuart Avant, the hooker in the team, has Just turned 13 and received as a bonus for his season's play the club’s awards for the most improved player.

Stuart Simpson, the No. 8, steadily improved as the season progressed and although he was not picked in the early representative trials, he forced his way into the team.

The members of the Linwood under sst D team playing in their first year of football found one remarkable try scorer in their company, Brent Nabkies who scored 54 of his teams 68 tries. Brent played at halfback and later at first' five-eighths. Michael Stove provided most of the other points, scoring 47 points in conversions and penalty kicks. The team finished second in its grade. Robert and John Barraclough, members of Burnside underweight teams, have gained themselves selection in representative teams. Robert was captain of the Burnside under fist team and John played in the 7st 71b team.