An exciting rugby season?

Press, 24 February 1988, Page 8

An exciting rugby season?

Canterbury rugby does not have a promotion this season to take the place of the Rugby World Cup last year but that could be a plus for Canterbury which could look forward to an exciting season, the president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, Mr Les Russell, told delegates at the annual meeting last evening. “With the A.G.C. South Pacific Trophy matches and a revitalised Welsh team here we can look forward to an exciting test series this year,” he said. “Then there are the national championship matches and the carrot is there if Auckland still has the Ranfurly Shield with a Canterbury challenge to coincide with the record number of defences,” Mr Russell said. In presenting the financial report, Mr lan Allott, who is retiring from the treasurer’s post after nine years, reported that 1987 was an excellent result — a profit of $238,247 was made before transfers to reserves — but he warned of a darker future. “Take away the $135,000 from the World Cup — and that won’t be with us again in the foreseeable future — and the considerable drop in interest, and it does not shape too well,” he said. “My concern is the maintenance of the union’s capital funds over the next five years for the following reasons: decreasing interest rates against rising costs; sponsorship — the renegotiators will have harder tasks; and the forthcoming taxability of sports bodies.

“I am not sure what could happen but when it comes in it will have the effect of reducing our resources; and the question of ‘professionalism’ where there has to be some changes. I am not suggesting full professionalism but funds will be needed for that type of approach to the game,” Mr Allott said. Mr Russell said that perhaps the most profitable time in the history of Canterbury rugby was overseen and controlled to a great degree by Mr Allott. “The standard of his reports, the profits that have emanated and his involvement with sponsors and his day-by-day consideration given to them have been outstanding. We have benefited a great deal by his enthusiasm and involvement over the last eight or nine years.” Mr Russell also paid tribute to the retiring chairman of

the Junior Advisory Board, Mr Des Burleigh, and the retiring president of the Canterbury Referees’ Association, Mr Tom Doocey, for their contributions to the management committee. The nine sitting members on the union's management committee were returned, the unsuccessful candidates being Messrs Burleigh and John Twomey. The format for the senior competition is unchanged from last season. The senior and senior B grade competitions will begin on April 9. All other grades will begin on April 16. The competitions committee's convener, Mr Craig Sullivan, said he would be grateful if more clubs entered teams in the president’s grade. "Clubs pulled out of the president’s grade last year because they thought it was going to fail and we finished with only five teams.” New Brighton, which missed entry into the senior club sevens tournament at Rugby Park tomorrow evening because of an oversight, has been included in the draw at the eleventh hour. Merivale B withdrew its second team to allow New Brighton, which won the Harewood Trophy when it was last competed for in 1985, a place in the 16 teams. Sir Russell Pettigrew, the fund-raising chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation, accepted a cheque for $lO,OOO from Mr Russell who made the presentation on behalf of rugby clubs in Canterbury. Sir Russell also presented the A.G.C. South Pacific Trophy, which Canterbury shared with Auckland last season, to the Canterbury captain, John Buchan. Sir Russell outlined a proposal which, with the backing of the Bank of New Zealand, would allow for the distribution of 20,000 affinity cards. These cards would be similar to other credit cards and would be honoured by BNZ, which would make a donation to the foundation. Officers elected were:— President: Mr L. J. Russell. Vice-presidents: Messrs M. R. Inglis, M. C. Sullivan, N. G. Gow. Treasurer: Mr R. Brown. Committee: Messrs P. E. Robinson, M. W. Cooper, L. W. McFadden, N. P. Blanchfield, A. T. C. Smith, G. P. Wilson, D. L. Frampton, A. H. Erdman, D. J. Liken, B. J. Turner (Junior Advisory Board), M. P. Lindroos (secondary schools), and D. L. Ching (primary schools).