SOCCER GOING BACK

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 254, 24 July 1935, Page 5

SOCCER GOING BACK

Methods of Improvement

N.Z. COUNCIL DISCUSSION

Declarations that the standard of Association football in New Zealand was fulling were made at the meeting of the council of the New Zealand Football Association yesterday afternoon, when it was decided to hold a special meeting next Tuesday to consider ways of improving the game. .Mr. Malcolm Fraser, newly-elected to the council, remarked when responding to the welcome given him that though tlie game had made considerable progress since his playing days it was disappointing that there had not been an even greater advance. It was difficult to account for this, though he thought a partial explanation might be that the game had not been introduced to the extent desired in the schools.

Later in the meeting the same subject was advanced by Mr. A. E. Caisley. He discussed the question of evening instead of afternoon meetings. He said there was not time to consider more than routine subjects at a meeting held late in the afternoon. There were many aspects ot the standard of play and administration of the game which would well bear thorough consideration, and this could best be done at an evening meeting.

Several members agreed that the code was not progressing, and that the council should give consideration to possible means of improvement. Introduction of the game to the secondary schools and payment of referees were suggestions made. Mr. B. L. Salmon, the chairman, agreed that the game was not progressing; it was, in fact, going back. The necessary reforms, however, were not easy to see. I’itymeut of referees, for instance, would be an additional financial burden on associations not by any means wealthy. Even then, a better standard of refereeing might not be attained. He agreed that out of a general discussion by the council some good might come. The suggestion of holding evening meetings once a month to allow time for discussion of suggested reforms was made. It was agreed to hold an evening meeting next Tuesday.