Promotion of school Rugby

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32563, 24 March 1971, Page 22

Promotion of school Rugby

The Canterbury Rugby Union will make a special effort to promote the game in primary and secondary schools this winter, the president (Mr J. Storey) said at a meeting of the union’s management committee last evening.

To this end, the scope of the union’s coaching committee will be enlarged; it will become the coaching and development committee.

i The sub-unions’ administrator, Mr M. R. Barnett, has been given the important post of convener. One of the first ventures it will handle will be a course for coaches on April 18, at Lancaster Park. Mr A. P. Freeman, who retired from the job of Wellington senior selector at the end of last season, will be in charge, and the Christchurch Boys’ High School first XV will demonstrate moves under his direction.

Mr C. H. J. Rhodes, convener of the 1970 coaching committee, expressed disappointment at the Christchurch club’s intention to hold a coaching school on the same day. But the secretary (Mr N. F. Moffitt) said the club had still to find a ground; it had been denied the use of Rugby and Fendalton Parks. CHANGE ADD PROMOTION ANZAC DAY MATCH With the elevation of Mr Storey to the presidency, Mr Rhodes takes over the key post of convener of the competitions committee. His first act in his new position last evening was to secure the management committee's approval of a game between Canterbury and West Coast at Greymouth on Anzac Day. As Anzac Day falls on a Sunday this year, the Canterbury players will leave for Greymouth after their club matches on April 24. Other conveners announced last evening were:—Finance and tours, Mr Storey; Rugby Park and chambers, Mr R. W. Thomas; advertising and publicity, Mr J. K. Torrance; permits and rules, Mr B. J. Drake; grounds, Mr S. R. Williams; insurance, Mr Drake; equipment, Mr L. F. Adams; entertainment, Mr G. G. Don; grading, Mr S. E. Husband. Nominated.—Mr C. H. McPhail, the immediate past-president of the Canterbury union, was nominated for a position on the New Zealand Rugby Union s council, and Mr C. A. Blazey was nominated for a post on the executive. Delegates.—Canterbury’s delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand union on April 28 and 29 will be Messrs Storey, C. H. McPhail. Rhodes, and Thomas. The Canterbury subunions will be represented by Mr Barnett. Benefit game.—May 2 has been

suggested as the date for a charity game to assist the wife and son of the Linwood and Canterbury B lock forward, R. C. H. Dench, who was killed in an accident late last year. Dench was a former South Canterbury and South Island representative. Senior status.-—The Hornby club applied for a trial in the senior grade this season. The club had a trial in the Challenge Cup competition two years ago but did not do well enough to gain senior status. Used footballs.—The fame of the Canterbury union appears to have spread afar. Requests for used footballs were received last evening from the United Church College in the Solomon Islands, and the Te* One School In the Chatham Islands. Both requests were granted.

Back fo Rugby.—An application from the Kaiapoi club for the reinstatement or K. Sincock to Rugby was forwarded to the New Zealand union. Sincock said he had “lost interest" in Rugby league.