ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 857, 1 July 1910, Page 9

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY TEAM. A meeting of tho Management Committee of tho Now Zealand ltugby Union was bold last oveiling to consider matters arising out of the approaching visit of the American University team. There were present: Messrs. G. Dixon (in tho (chair), K, Isaacs, M. J. Crombie, Wallburton, and H. Kelly. Tlio main topic dealt with was tho suggestion oi tho New Zealand Universities' iootball Committee that tho union Mould reconsider its decision vetoing a jnatch between tho visitors and the -ambined university colleges of Now Zealand. Such match, urged the committoo, could bo played in Wellington, The programme of the tour having, -with the exception of the fifth match, been previously decided upon, Mr. Crombie suggested that the combined universities be given that fixture, to be played in Wellington. The chairman said that tho main objection to tho proposal was the expense. There was also tho convenience of the .visitors to be considered. After further discussion it was dccfuecl to adhere to the former decision not to grant tho mntch to the universities. It was further resolved that the fifth match, —tho date of which was not fixed—would bo played at Wanganui, provided a half-! holiday could be obtained on tho day of tha match. ASSOCIATION. THE BROWN SHIELD MATCH. Arrangements in connection with tho /epresentativo Association football match between Wellington and Wanganui at Newtown Park to-morrow afternoon at 2.15 are now practically complete. At a meeting of the Council of the ,New_ Zealand Football Association last evening, Mr. H. N, Holmes presiding, a letter was received from Mr. 11. L. Godber, the referee appointed to supervise tho match stating that owing to a bereavement in his family he would be un»ble to act. On the motion of Mr. W. J. Reynolds, Seconded by Mr. B. L. Salmon, Mr. J. Patou was then nominated as referee. Mr. Roberts,, as an amendment, moved ihat Mr; J. Davidson bo Appointed. There were, he said, certain 'objections to the appointment of an official selector as referee. Mr. Paton had been one of tho pelectors of: the Wellington representative team. Mr. Williams seconded tho amendment. . A ballot was then taken, and Mr. Davidson was appointed. Mr. F. O'Connell been appointed referee for the curtain-raiser, which starts at 1.15 p.m. Owing to the suspension of Hall and the fact that Pve-Sinith has strained his side, W. Roberts aud A. Cornish have been selected to play at fullback. C. Yessey will be tho fifth forward. Tho Wanganui men will arrive in town by the New Plymouth express this evening and will be tendered a reception by the Wellington Football Association. Tho match is the first of the .series of chalJeuge matches to bo played between Wellington and the various centres for the Brown Challenge Shield, at present •held by Wellington. Gre.it interest is being taken in the event, and competent critics of, the contesting teams predict a close game. ENGLAND V. SOUTH AFRICA. : ASSOCIATION MATCH. By TelecraDti—Press Association—CopyrishV London, June 29. At Association football, England (three goals) beat South Africa (nil). MAORI TEAM IN WELBOURNE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Rec. June :iO, p.m.) >pi » , T - • Melbou|, n e . June 30. -I"® I't'gby T'nion officially welcomed tho Maori -tootbaileis oV their arrival .in the city to-day. . AMATEURISM. LEAGUIS FOOTBALLERS'. POSITION. UPHELD BY AUSTRALASIAN UNION. Three of tho fivo countries comprising Hie Australasian Athletic Union have decided m favour of a league footballer ivlio has not received payment being eligible to compete in amateur athletic events. They are New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand. Of the ether two, Tasmania is not particularly interested, and .Victoria has not considered the matter. Iliis is a great victory for tho Rugby League, and may lead to the reconstructm- Sporting Federation. tt i j sn 3' s the "Sydney Morning ■v \■ 'l e fll 'e as follow:— *r o ,i'',?,''i' cr Wlls a member of tho lu'W South Wales Rugby League, which was ru;cd a professional bedv bv the bportmg iederation. Ho was" thus dis-' quahned from running as a member of tue N b.W.A.A.A., a component body of the ieucration. Ihc Australasian Athletic Association ruled that Miller, not havin" received remuneration for playing for the league, had not forfeited his amateur etatus, and was therefore eligibls to bo a member of an amateur athletic club. Since then another case has arisen \ swimmer s status was' challenged, the federation ruled as in the case of Miller, and the rulmg was-acccpted by the New ntu Swimming Association, the questions submitted to the various ■ atsoeiations were:— "A\as the following finding of the rjm? l *\ asian Athletic. Union correct:— in at as the applicant had not whilst playing league football as an athlctic exercise, cither directly or indirectly or m any snap© or.form,'accepted remuneration, h& has not contravened the rules and regulations of the Amateur ALkletic Union as to the anmteur definition, and as a consequence his amateur status remains good, aud the fact of the applicant acting as secretary to the aforesaid ieague in a purely honorary capacity does not alTcct his status; and, further, that he be asked to submit his declarar tion in writing, together with a stateit. ? lu president and treasurer of the league, so that tho declaration may be fil^d. Question 2 was:— . , anything in tho AmotmiT Athletic Unions cods which prevents a State association becoming affiliated in its own Stato to an amalgamation ot federation of amateur bodies, and obcylng a decision as to tho professional Ftatjis of an athlete that such federation might decide upon, provided in all casos it is stricter in_effoct than, tho existing amateur definition of tho union?" It was pointed out in the circular accompanying this that the federation has decided that the New South AVales Rugby Union which plays non-amateurs "in other branches of sport away from football, is an amateur organisation, and that the-New South Wales - Football League is a professional body, according lo the federation. Nev: South Wale.s, Queensland, and New Zealand have answered "vtrs" to the first question; New South Wales and Ti»w Zealand "no" to the' second. Queensland leaves the second mattor to New South Wales to decide. Thus it will be seen that for a certainty the question as to a leaguo footballer competing in A.A.A. events has been decided in the affirmative, and therefore against tho New South Wales Amateur Sporting Federation.