Linwood looks at league laws

Press, 27 February 1981, Page 18

Linwood looks at league laws

The complexities of the Canterbury Rugby League’s domestic transfer regulations have been furrowing the brows of Linwood club administrators in recent weeks. , . Linwood is concerned m the movements of Lester Wilson and Mike Smith, two forwards who represented Canterbury last season. Wilson wishes to return to Linwood after two years as. Halswell’s player-coach, while Smith has decided to leave Linwood and join Sydenham. . The basics of the transfer laws require a four-match stand-down for club players, and an $BOO fee for players who represented the province’s A team the previous season. Both Wilson and Smith are in the latter category, but there are complications. It is claimed by Linwood officials that when Wilson switched from Linwood to Halswell an understanding was reached between the two clubs that if he chose to retrace his steps no mone-

tary payment would be involved. Mr Keith Palermo, the Linwood club captain, said yesterday that it was hoped Halswell would reconsider its request for the $BOO fee and allow Wilson a free clearance. In the case of Smith, Linwood sought to apply both an $BOO fee and a four-week stand-down but the code’s board of control has ruled that it cannot do so. “The wording of the league’s constitution indicates that we are in our rights to ask for both penalties,” Mr Palermo said. “Linwood has a policy of not having anyone stand down, but Sydenham has not shown that sort of generosity to us concerning another transfer.” It is too late for the Linwood club to submit a remit which might alter the transfer laws this year — the annual meeting is next Wednesday evening — but its committee is to consider sponsoring such a proposal for future seasons.