ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 184, 2 May 1929, Page 8

ASSOCIATION

By

“GOALIE"

PLAY BEGINS AT BASIN RESERVE

MORE TEAM WORK WANTED

Two games have now been played in the first round of the senior championship, and only two clubs have collected the maximum points, Waterside and Diamonds. The latter, however, may possibly be called upon to replay their match with Marist, should it affect the championship, as Marist have protested on the ground that short time was'played. This point has yet to be settled. As things stand at present the position is as follows : Waterside 4 points. Diamonds 4, Petone 3, Hospital 3, Institute 1, Marist 1, Y.M.C.A. 0, Institute .0. Some of the old stalwarts are not starting off the season too successfully, and there 'is a strong probability that the championship will pass into new hands this year. It is just as well that the honours should go round, if only for the reason that it will make the old clubs rally their forces. The Y.M.C.A. is not the strong combination that it was, and on the form shown last Saturday will not come within cooee of the championship. More than one of their players showed an amount of timidity in meeting an opponent that was distinctly noticeable, even to letting the opponent take the ball rather than stand up to a shoulder to shoulder charge. A mambypamby style of play will get them nowhere and will not attract spectators. The Soccer game can be vigorous without being rough, and if an opponent is trying to beat one for possession, fair and square charging is permissible and is expected. The players must get down to the fact that there must be more method in their play if they are going to make the game more attractive. Few of them keen their places in the field; and the upshot is that the proper passing style of play is conspicuous by its absence. The few who do try to play something like the correct style find their efforts wasted because the man for whom a pass was intended is not there to receive it. The Canadians did show us something of the style to follow, but from the three games I have seen so far this year there has been little to suggest that Wellington players have profited. As a combination Petone appear to give the most promise, although they did not quite come up to expectations last Saturday, when they only drew with Hospital. Waterside are doing very well in their return to senior grade, and thev are entitled to their points. Their finish was poor on Saturday, 'for while doing good work in the open they failed in front of goal. Speaking metaphorically they couldn’t hit a haystack, for Longbottom, Dunsmuir and Wilson between them missed ten or a dozen shots at close range; that is, within a dozen yards of goal. The three goals they scored v'w n'1 st >. w ?" tlle victor y> and had I.M.G.A. had the services of Stock in the second spell they might have staved oft defeat, although Watersiders gave the better display. Gilbertson promises to be a good man in the half-back line, and Bolton appears to be the sounder of the pair of backs. Abbot’s work in goal was quite sound. Cullen was unlucky to get put out of action in the second spell. Tlie forwards are a good line and will be more dangerous if they get tlie ‘sights” more directly on the goal As a team they may do better when better combination is shown against them. Even a good team gets put off its balance by straggly opposition, but it is not good football. Some of our players need a good talk on tactics and should certainly be told to keep to someriling approaching their proper positions, xhere should be no roving commissions. . Thistle have some good material, but t ] A- nOt , comi “B to light with the goods. Lothian is on the injured list from the previous Saturday, but he has been seen in better form. Whenever he plays centre-forward he seems to be a marked man, and his goal-scoring capabilities do not materialise. Campbell is a nice player of the Scottish type, and while tlie team has not cut much ice yet, I think they will eventually be a force. Diamonds may be the “dark horse” this season, but I have not seen them perform yet. Marist always seem to fall down at tlie beginning of the season, and in the Inst year or two this has had considerable influence on the final result of the championship,. They have some really good players, including three or four representative men, and their form at the beginning of the season is not easy to understand. Hospital did well to draw with Petone. and on their own heath will make it hard for any other team, but they have not risen to the old heights for three or four years now. They get hold of some good players, men who have come overseas. but who do not perform beyond the medium. More Referees Needed. Still the old cry: More referees are wanted, and tlie response from old players who fall out of the playing ranks is very poor. It is with the utmost difficulty that referees can be found for all the games, and even then some are called upon to take two and three boys’ games every Saturday. This makes it pretty hard going, and the jiosition is such that the Referees’ Association has given warning that unless some recruits are forthcoming it will be impossible to carry out all the fixtures. With over

120. grimes each Saturday, of which 28 referees are required for 3 o'clock matches, the problem is a serious one. I think possibly the situation could be eased if club linesmen were provided at the Ba_sin instead of allocating theso duties to referees, unless these referees have already taken earlier games. Mr. T. C. Wilkes, an old Wellington referee. who for the last few- years has been in Wanganui, Auckland and South Auckland, is back in Wellington again and has taken on the secretaryship’ of the local Referees* Asosciation. They are a united body and keen for the good of the game, but it would be very encouraging if somo new referees would volunteer. There was a rumour current that Mr. IT. Yeoman was giving up, but a later report says be has returned to the fold and is carrying on. He lias been a tower of strength to the Referees' Association and the game generally, and Soccer could ill afford to lose him. N.Z.F.A. Annual Meeting. Before the next notes appear the annual meeting of the N.Z.F.A. will have been held, and the result of that meeting will have an important effect on the game from the Dominion point of view. This body must be put in a financial position, and the Wellington Association has already acted generously towards this end, contributing £3O towards the deficit and paying up all its fees, plus £5 towards tlie expenses of a delegate from a minor association to the annual meeting. In view of the loyal help given the Wellington Association should have a direct representative on the Connell of the N.Z.F.A. I hope all associations will endeavour to send a ‘direct delegate to the meeting and place Soccer affairs in New Zealand on a sounder basis. Association Park. Whether Association Park will be available through the present season appears to be in doubt, although some junior games are being played on the ground pending a decision by the directors as to whether it shall be closed so that it may be put in really good order. It is hoped to secure the advice of the director of reserves, although it hardly seems likely that he will differ from the advice already given by three able men on this subject which is that the ground should be closed at once. From what I can gather it is contemplated turning the ground over, and one shudders to think of the amount or hoop iron, glass and other undesirable material which it is possible to unearth from these sites which have been filled in. It now transpires that the W.F.A. does not hold half the shares, but 1100 out of 3000. This holding, however, should surely entitle the W.F.A. to one direct’ representative on the directorate of Association Park. True, the rest of the shares are held by Soccer enthusiasts, but 20 shares are the qualification for a seat on the board, and there are not many individuals holding 20 shares. . What is concerning members of the Management Committee is that the ground was primarily secured for Soccer, and that in view of the dearth of grounds it should not be closed tor one day longer than is absolutely necessary. In view of the fact that some day it may be necessary to again, play the best matches at Association Park it is desirable that it should be made fit to play on, and that some stand accommodation should be provided. These things cost money, but it has already been shown that it is worth while to improve the grounds by reason of the success which has attended the dirt track racing. If the turf could be made good enough for cricket and tennis there is little reason that the enthusiasts would soon put these games on there, and there is more than a possibilitv that other sports events, could be held there, all of which would provide revenue towards meeting the capital charges. What seems to be the disturbing factor is the apparent lack of a sympathetic link between the W.F.A. and the directors of Association Park ,to see that the interests of the Soccer code are promoted.

“AT THE GYM” (By H.C.M.) * A night or two ago the writer heard sounds of boyish laughter coming from a gym. at the southern end of the city so he wandered In, and a pleasing sight met his eye. In a spacious sawdust floored room some twenty or thirty boys, of ages ranging from seven to fourteen, were enjoying an evening’s practice at games of Soceer. They had an instructor whom we shall call 8.A.M., clad in shorts and full rig, putting them through their lessons at the game. There they were, hard at it, playing the game with vim and enjoyment, thoroughly keen on doing their little bests to take advantage of the expert advice and instruction given them by their enthusiastic instructor. The whistle goes. “Here! Line up over against that wall, all of you.!’’ shouts 8.A.M., and oft they scamper, backs to the wall, the length of the room. “Now, we’re going to have some heading: so look out!” B.A.M. stands out in the centre and throw’s the ball to No. 1 in the Hue, who heads it back to the centre. Then No. 2 gets his chance, and so on to No. 6, who makes a frantic effort to “head it,” but misses, and causes a general laugh at his efforts. He gets another chance and does better this time. No. 10 is a tiny tot, about seven years of age. He heads It beautifully, and B.A.M. says “Best of the evening." No. 10 feels himself grow six Inches taller and steps back to his place with the air of one who has done a great deed. Right down the line, turn after turn, until all have had a “header.” The whistle goes again. Sides are picked and a short game of Soccer Is played, while B.A.M, with a keen eye to see any error, gives advice and correct demonstration to his keen audience. This over, the whistle goes again. “Over here! Come on, all of you. Form a big circle, heads down and inwards. Hands behind.” The instructor produces a short piece of rope and explains that he will give it to i boy, and at the same instant the boy on the right of the recipient must go off at top speed followed by the one with the rope, who is to lash him until they arrive back at the place they left. Ted gets the rope and Frank, on his right, sees tills, so off they go—Ted laying into Frank's soft parts with delight. One or two good smacks get homo and then Frank "speeds up” to escape his flagellator" and reaches home without further rope ending. B.A.M. receives the rope and the same amusing bit of play is repeated when Joe chases Ed. around the ring. This is not allowed to go too far. The whistle goes again and sides are picked for a short game of basket-ball. “Here, no kicking—you’re not playing soccer,” shoutes 8.A.M., who spots one boy trying to "dribble” the bail a bit. What excitement there is! All playing as if for dear lite. The faces are a study. Now, the ball goes into the hoop. “Hooray.” They all shout. They do not know who did it, but they are all delighted that someone has scored, so off they go again. A short spell after this and the whistle brings them to attention. Six sides are picked, three lots of four at either end of the "gym." left feet against the wall. No. 1 of each group at. one end has a cap. and at the signal he tears off to tlie other end to deliver his charge to No. 1 of that end, who dashes back to give the cap to No. 2 of the opposite end. This goes on at top speed until the first sections complete the running and the cap is delivered to the instructor. First finished is winner. This was most exciting, and called forth the utmost efforts of the lads who entered into the sport with enthusiasm. Another short scamper around with the ball followed, and words of advice came freely from the untiring B.A.M. The whistle sounded “Cease Play.” “Get away into the room, all of you.” shouts the leader, and they crowd into the dressing room to hear a short lecture on the game. About eight o’clock the evening’s play is over and home they go tired and happy. Tlie 'jour and a half has been enjoyed thoroughly and the boys bad’ lots to talk about. Hear them: — “Didn’t I ‘head’ her al! right?” “But wasn’t Charlie’s a beau?" “My. Didn’t I get some corkers on to Frank,” said Tod. Frank said: “I’m sore yet where you bit me. Never mind, wait till I get ths rope and you have to run. I'll give yon What Ho!" ' And so they talk over the fun they har* had until they separate to their homes. The writer enioyed the evening and felt that such excellent methods as adopted by that energetic enthusiast B.A.M. must surely put tlie boys in the right way to learn the game and play it correctly. Good luck to him.