ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1318, 22 December 1911, Page 7

ASSOCIATION.

CONFERENCE AT SYDNEY. Word received by the latest mail from Sydney states that the conference delegates from the associations governing British Association football in Australasia was commenced at the Sports Club, Sydney, on Friday evening, December 15. Mr. E. Perrm (N.S.W.) was elected chair? man, and Mr. S. Lynch (N.S.W.) secretary. The delegates with voting representation are:—Mr. S. Lynch, New South Wales; Mr. B. L. Salmon, New Zealand; Mr. J. Logan, Queensland; Mr. W. Cunimings, Victoria; Mr. H. N. Holmes, South Australia; Mr. T. M'Creery, West Australia; and Mr. H. Nurse, Tasmania. Reports as to the progress of the game in the various centres were made by the delegates. The most glowing accounts were received from tho representatives of New South Wales and New Zealand. In tho Dominion there were nearly 300 teams playing the British Association game last year, no fewer than 89 being in Wellington, where the Association has recently purchased' a ground costing £950. Tho New Zealand Association comprises delesates from •11 affiliated associations. There were about 160 teams in New South Wales, the season closing with a credit balance, so far as tho New South Wales Football Association was concerned, of about ,£IOO. Moro modest accaunts were, received from the other States, but in all cases the prospects were reported as very encouraging, and finances generally appeared to be in a satisfactory state. A resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the late E. A. Duff and with the N.S-W. Cricket Association was passed, reference being made to tho loss sustained by the death of. such a sterling cricketer. " On the motion of Mr. B. L. Salmon, seconded by Mr. J. Loga.il, it was resolved that in the opinion of the conference, that it is. highly desirable that the best endeavours should be used to encourage the game amongst the boys, not onlv school boys, but also thow who have left school, and that competitions should not be confined to the schools. And, further, it is desirable that interState matches amongst boys should bo promoted. It was nrged that the best means ofsecuring the advancement of the game was throwrh the training of boys at potiool. The "soccer" code "was specially adapted for boys, and as the boys grew no they wonld throw in their lot with junior clubs, and ultimately swell the ranks of the seoior players. If the committees of senior clubs endeavoured to form junior teams, much of the work would be done, but the main objective was to get the game into the schools. Tho conference was continued on Saturday night at 8 o'clock. A general invitation was eirtonded to all footballers and enthusiasts to attend the official reception of the visiting delegates at the Sports Club on Saturday morning at 11.15.