Citizenship wrangle players’ problem

Press, 17 June 1976, Page 32

Citizenship wrangle players’ problem

Bv

BARNEY ZWARTZ

The problem of gaining New Zealand citizenship to qualify for the World Cup soccer team will still rest firmly with the players concerned. according to the| national coach, Barry Truman. He confirmed last night that no deal would be worked out with the New Zealand Football Association to allow players to join the squad in anticipation of their papers coming through before the games in March. It had been widely thought something might be arranged to help these players and make the position clear. The N.Z.F.A. has in the past received help from the Internal Affairs Department to hurry citizenship through, j but it will not do so this] year.

Players without citizenship can still be nominated for the team if they are prepared to work with the others during the off-season and attend training camps in the chance that their qualification will come through in time. Players in this position, whom Truman would be very happy to have available, include Bill Arney, Norman Moran, Roy Drinkwater and Bobby Almond (Trans Tours United), Sam Malcolmson (Stop Out), Steve Bentley

Caversham), and Keith Nelson (Hamilton). Truman said that the procedure would be similar to the last World Cup build-up in 1973.

A squad of 30 or so players who are eligible will be nominated about November. These will be circularised asking if they are available, and those that are not will be replaced by further nominations.

They" will do special trainling in” the off-season, including attending some week-end training camps and passing Tegular fitness tests, to reach a peak for the World Cup games. Players who are not eligible. that is those who have yet to become citizens, can train during his time and, if they qualify by January, will be considered for the final squad. The final squad of 22 will be named about the beginning of February, for the two-week training camp in late February and early March. The camp is, with the citizenship question, the other controversial aspect of the build-up, and will be the first of its kind held in New Zealand. At this stage it appears [unlikely that the N.Z.F.A. will pay full wages to those who attend, and that will rule |out several top players who

will not be able to afford the time off work. The Auckland members, in particular, may find it difficult as they will have just returned from a tour.

At the same time Truman considers the camp to be very important, and it will severely affect a player’s chances of making the team if he cannot attend. Naturally, Truman would like to have a full squad of top players to choose from, but he will not be too upset if the N'.Z.F.A. cannot find the money to recompense those that attend. He feels players who attend and do not get much money back, prove themselves to be the dedicated, keen types he wants. Also, making this sacrifice will make them work all the harder at the camp because they will want to get something out of it. Motor-cycling.— Britain’s Tom Herron, riding a Yamaha, swept to victory in the 500 cu. cm. senior Isle of Man Tourist Trophy International. Herron won the 364.25 km race at an average speed of 169.19 km/h. Rugby league.— The Balmain rugby league team has suffered its fourth successive loss in the Sydney premiership, three days before meeting zluckland in the second round of the Amco Cup at Sydney tomorrow. Balmain lost 26-9 to CanterburyBankstown after trailing 12-9 at half-time.