SOCCER YOUTH

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32629, 10 June 1971, Page 14

SOCCER YOUTH

It was a frustrating holiday for many senior and all junior soccer players last week-end, after several days of continuous rain had caused most competition matches to be cancelled. But in one goalmouth at Spreydon Domain the first steps were being taken to repeat one of last season’s outstandingly successful competitions.

This was the junior penalty-taking tournament, which had its final at halftime during the last match of the 1970 Rothmans National league competition at English Park, when Christchurch United met Mount Wellington to decide third place and the $lOOO

prize. Such was the public interest in the final as the last three boys tried to beat the former New Zealand goalkeeper, O. Nuttridge, that many of the large crowd asked afterwards if it was to become an annual event. Their wish has been granted, for arrangements are well in hand for the tournament to be held again, under a modified system. Each club has been asked to hold its own competition to find the best two marksmen in the club’s 12 years to 15 years age bracket. This will leave the organisers with approximately 40 boys from which to narrow down to six

semi-finalists. The semi-finals and final will then be held at halftime in the United national league matches on July 24, August 24,. and September 4. Arrangements are being made for the boys to compete for a special trophy, which will be held by the winner for a year. An announcement on this matter will be made later. However, all three boys in the final will get a pair of boots given by M. O’Brien and Company, Limited. * * *

In fact, if the Canterbury Junior Football Association had had its way, this season’s penalty-taking competition would have been organised on a national basis, under the sponsorship of O’Briens. It was intended that both islands would find finalists in the under 16, under 14 and under 12 age groups and that the grand final would be held at the Basin Reserve during the final of the Gillette Chatham Cup. O’Briens had offered to pay the travelling expenses of the finalists.

Unfortunately the scheme was refused. The Gillette Chatham Cup committee of the New Zealand Football Association ruled that the sponsor of the cup competition should have the use of the whole day. However, the Canterbury J.F.A. has been asked to apply again next year, and O’Briens have shown the willingness to co-operate again. It is felt that a national competition along these lines might be as successful as is the Adidas competition in Europe. In the Christchurch City penalty-taking tournament at

Spreydon Domain, the club’s juniors taking part found that the goal-keeper they had to beat was the City’s senior 'keeper, Lindsay Wilson. And this they had trouble doing. Only Tom Gillespie (four successes out of six) and Carl Keeman (two) really managed to test him. Glorious mud! That is how

more than 240 boys from the Rangers clubs, ranging from 10 to 16 years, and their coaches would describe their trip to Petone on Queen’s Birthday, the success of which was only partly spoiled by the rain that had turned pitches into quagmires. However, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the teams that played. The Rangers under 16, 13, 12, 11 and 10 A teams all had very convincing wins against sides from Petone and Lower

Hutt City. Out of the 18 matches, nine were won by the Rangers boys and two drawn, and only the fact that the E and D Rangers teams were facing Lower Hutt’s A and B sides kept the Christchurch club from winning more matches. The good spirit and the feelings of friendship were there all the time, and the whole party arrived back in Christchurch very tired, but looking back on a great experience. A remark heard from a boy in the Rangers under 12 B team, who had to replace an injured player, and after he was given the injured player’s wet and muddy shirt, was: ’‘You’ll have to wring your shirt out before I’ll put that one on.” At that moment the rain was pouring down. * * * In Christchurch over the week-end was a visiting under 12 team from Marton, in the North Island, which played two matches against Cashmere - Wanderers at Somerfield Park. The first, on the Saturday,

was won by Marton, 2-1. The North Island boys showed better control on the sticky ground, while Cashmere used a more robust style of play. The Cashmere defence looked suspect at times but the defenders, Kerry Weir, Des Constable, and John Hogg, played well. The Cashmere forwards tended to be five individuals and many chances were missed, but the captain, Robin Curtis, and CoUn Meadows tried hard. Cashmere’s goal was scored by Rolf lylas. The second game was played on a very heavy ground but, surprisingly, it produced the better football. The Cashmere boys used the ball more constructively and their efforts were rewarded with an excellent goal by Peter Gravestone from a cross by Meadows. However, Marton, with an early penalty and a runaway goal, again won 2-1. The appearance of the Marton boys was another talking point of the weekend’s visit. The team had two strips—one of bright yellow with white cuffs and the other of all red. Their coach, Mr Robert Adelman, was only 18 years old, and he is doing a magnificent job for soccer in his area. Marton would welcome matches with any South Island junior teams planning a future tour of the North Island. * * *

The system of clubs supplying referees for junior matches seems to be working well. Members of the J.F.A. have been complimented on the idea and it has taken away a burden from the teams’ coaches. There will be a referees’ evening on June 16 at the J.F.A. committee rooms. This should be a "must" for all coaches who want to know —and all should—why the man in the middle blows his whistle.