Rugby Park retained as playing venue

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 24

Rugby Park retained as playing venue

Despite the absence of a covered stand the Canterbury Rugby Union is still likely to play two senior club matches at Rugby Park each Saturday this winter. The union heard on Tues-, day evening a report from its chairman, Mr B. J. Drake, on developments in respect to the rebuilding of the gutted stand and there seems no possibility of the new stand being completed by the end of the 1982 winter. Mr Drake said that changing rooms could be provided for four teams, but showers for only two and, therefore, it would be possible to play at least one senior game on the park each Saturday. However, Mr R. W.

Thomas proposed that the customary two senior games should be retained, if only to keep faith with season ticket holders who are regular patrons. “I don’t think that there is a club in Christchurch that will not support us. They all know the situation at Rugby Park and I am sure two teams each week will not mind having to shower back at their clubs, or elsewhere.” said Mr Thomas. . He was supported by Mr I. F. Allott, who said that it appeared some clubs were not happy with the prospect of having to play regular day matches at Denton Oval. Their objection is the close-

ness of the cycle track to the in-goal areas. It was decided to hold the matter over, but to make •clubs aware of the fact that the usual two games might be played at Rugby Park. Earlier in. the meeting a donation of $2O, from a woman who came in to the union’s office yesterday, was received to go towards the rebuilding of the covered stand. This was gratefully received and Mr Drake mentioned the possibility of a public appeal at a later date once it was known by how much the cost would exceed the replacement insurance. The rugby “fun day” at Centennial Park last Sunday was hailed as such a great success that it is to become an annual event. The attendance was put at around 1500. The Canterbury selector, Mr Alex Wyllie, has chosen a squad of 16 to prepare for the national seven-a-side final in Palmerston North on Saturday week. The touring party of nine will be named after practice games at Sheldon Park on Sunday. A new under-21 colts grade is to be instituted this season, replacing the under-20 grade. However, players from all grades will still be eligible for the.. Canterbury: colts team. All other grades will remain the same with the exception of the ninth.grade. Here the weight stipulation will drop from 60kg to 55kg. Entries will be called for an under-17 grade, although this is a grade which has not attracted enough entries in the past to survive. The union is to mount a campaign to support a new law on stud sizes. This means 'that not all hoots, which are sold as football boots and not specifically as rugby boots, will be acceptable.