NUMBER OF SENIOR RUGBY TEAMS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 152, 24 March 1938, Page 15

NUMBER OF SENIOR RUGBY TEAMS

Suggestions For Reduction

PRESENT SYSTEM TO BE RETAINED After a long discussion at last night’s meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union, motions, of which notice had been given, designed to bring about a reduction in the number of senior teams were defeated, the majority opinion being in favour of carrying on under the present scheme of three senior grades. The first motion before the meeting was from the Pirates club—“ That the senior B grade be deleted.” In moving the motion, Mr. A. H. Harper said that there were 27 senior teams and over 400 senior players in Wellington, which he considered was detrimental to the best interests of footbail. It would doubtless be hard on some clubs if the motion were carried, but the line would have to be drawn and he hoped clubs would be prepared to take their medicine in the right manner if relegated. A member asked, in view of the similarity of the Pirates and Athletic clubs' notices of motion, that they be taken together or one withdrawn. The Pirates delegate agreed to withdraw his motion. Mr. H. Murphy then moved the Athletic club’s motion—“ That the senior grade comprise two divisions only.” Speaking to the motion he contended that there were far too many senior players. Motion Opposed. In opposing the motion Mr. J. Morgan (Onslow) said his club, as winner of the senior B grade last season, was vitally affected. He could not see eye to eye with the argument that too many senior clubs affected the standard of football in the lower grades, as a change of name would hardly alter the standard. He knew of no outstanding senior B players good enough for the first division. It could not be said, therefore, that senior B clubs deprived first division clubs of players. If his club were relegated to junior and the gate was closed to promotion, there would be an influx of the players to senior clubs. Retention of the senior B grade would give satisfaction to most clubs. Mr. Jacobs (Johnsonville) -put forward a plea on behalf of district clubs which wanted the senior B grade retained. He considered that this grade was the proper stepping-stone to higher status. If it were deleted, such clubs as Onslow and Porirua would not be catered fbr. The position regarding the number of senior teams was really due to the fact that competition was much keener now than years ago, and nothing should be done which might prevent keen clubs from moving up. Another Onslow delegate pointed out that it was through the efforts of the players and the enthusiastic people of the district that the club now had a very fine gymnasium. If the gate were closed to a growing young club securing higher statue, then it would be the end of the club. “If we are relegated we will be back to where we were seven years ago.” Mr. M. F. Nicholls said that the Petone club favoured the present system.

Mr. A. W. Cooper, on behalf of the junior advisory board, said its members were of the opinion that the present system should be retained, but stipulated that for each senior team a club entered, it must enter, maintain, and field each Saturday a junior and a third grade team. Thus a club would be uniform in strength. After several further suggestions, the chairman closed the discussion and called on Mr. Murphy to- reply. Replying to the various arguments, Mr. Murphy said there was no intention,, of blocking teams from moving up to senior status. It was evident from the remarks of the Onslow club’s delegate that its team was not equal to senior status and it had no right to claim such status. The club had only to go about things in the right way and ultimately it would gain senior status if it deserved it. The same would apply to other clubs anxious to gain promotion. On the motion -being put it was defeated. Further clauses in the Athletic club’s notice of motion were then withdrawn. Selection o£ Representatives. The Pirates club moved: “That, before any representative teams are picked, teams representing the senior A first and second divisions play a match to be watched by the selectors.” In moving the motion, Mr. A. H. Hooper said that the second division teams did not have the same opportunity of being seen in action by the selector as the first division teams. It was not fair to ask the selector to view all senior teams during the season, and to overcome the difficulty the motion proposed that a second division team should be selected to play the first division team. Mr. Millard said he could give the Pirates club a guarantee that second division and senior B players would get an ample chance for representative honours. The Pirates club agreed to withdraw the motion, the delegate remarking that he merely desired to draw the attention of the management committee to the matter, and was prepared to accept Mr. Millard’s assurance. A remit from the Poneke club which read, “that it be a recommendation to the annual meeting of to the Wellington Rugby Football Union that the management committee be instructed to get in touch with other organisations with a view to forming a sports protection association,” was lost. International Rules. / After a short discussion on a letter from the council of the New Zealand Rugby Union stating that it appeared the unanimous wish that all games should be played under the rules as laid down by the International Board, it was decided to revert to the international rules as from the commencement of the season.