JUNIOR RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 152, 24 March 1938, Page 16

JUNIOR RUGBY

Recommendations For

Improvement DECISIONS AT UNION MEETING Recommendations for the improvement of junior football in Wellington, incorporated in the report of the Junior Advisory Committee, were discussed at length at last night’s meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union. A great deal of discussion took place on a recommendation that clubs maintain the same number of teams in the junior and third grades as they maintain in the senior grade. The suggestion was supported by a number of delegates, and it was decided 10 recommend to the incoming management committee that where clubs maintain one or more senior teams they must maintain a similar number of junior and third grade teams. The Junior Advisory Committee also, recommended that the fourth grade age revert to 19 years from 18, to which it was reduced last season.

On behalf of the Junior Advisory Committee Mr. A. W. Cooper pointed out that the reduction in the age limit had not proved a success last year and that, through the change, lads of insufficient physical development bad been forced into the open grades to play against fullydeveloped men. For this reason players were liable to injury and did not have the same opportunity for development of their natural talents.

Another delegate pointed out that the reversion to a 19 years age limit would play right into the hands of clubs like Hutt and Petone. In addition, the smaller clubs were already to be fettered by having to maintain senior, junior, and third grade teams where in the past they had maintained senior, junior, and fourth grade teams. It was pointed out by Mr. T Beard (Wellington College) that the question of lack of physical development was not a good argument as there were boys of .15 years playing third grade football in college teams. On the other hand, a raising of the fourth grade age to 19 would mean that the college players would be opposed by more and more former .senior players known as the "baldheaded brigade.” The argument was raised by Mr. 11. Murphy (Athletic) that the 18-year age limit had not been given a fair trial. lie appealed for at least another year before a considered opinion was advanced. When put to the meeting the recommendation of the junior advisory committee was rejected by 27 votes to 26. A recommendation that the third grade first division comprise the three secondary school teams, St. Patrick's College. Silverstream, St. Patrick’s College, and Wellington College, and one team from the Training College along with eight club team« was adopted.