Ground rental rise angers rugby union

Press, 9 April 1980, Page 6

Ground rental rise angers rugby union

The Waimairi County unfair and that rugby is proCouncil has increased its viding a service to the com-! ground rentals for winter munity. It also intends to sports by 20 per cent this convene! a meeting of otherj season and it is a move that sporting bodies which will be was harshly criticised at the similarly affected. Canterbury Rugby Union’s A letter written by a permanagement comimttee son who signed himself “Ai meeting last evening. most concerned father” and

The proposed rugby ground rental this season has increased from $lO2 to $125. Mr G. G. Don said that it was time the local govern-

ment looked into the matter. “We are being penalised by asking clubs to provide rugby for youngsters. It seems to be that the user pays and I don’t believe we can sustain a 20 per cent increase. It is time we took submissions to local government and if they don’t listen then we should try our local members of Parliament.”

“There are many other cultural activities in the city where no charge is made. Because we are an organised body we have to pay” said Mr R. W. Thomas. The union will write to the Waimairi County Council, stating that the increase is

which deplored a foul incident in a recent friendly, match appeared in “Thei Press” last Saturday. i The chairman (Mr B. J.

Drake) said that it was not! union policy to discuss! anonymous letters but that he could assure the writer! that the union outlawed anyi form of rough or dirty play.! Mr Drake said that a judicial! committee had been formed! in 1973 for this purposq andi that in : recent years, the! penalties imposed had tended! to be more on the severe!

than on the light side. i Advice: was received from the New Zealand union that the match between Victoria and Country Sub-unions at| Leeston last Saturday would! be regarded as a first-class! 5 fixture.