RUGBY. FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 144, 14 March 1939, Page 14

RUGBY. FOOTBALL

Athletic Club Holds Annual Meeting LARGE ATTENDANCE “The Athletic Football Club is a very old institution in Wellington, the present being its sixty-second annual meeting, but with age it is growing younger and more vigorous,” said Mr. J. W. Heenan, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet at the annual meeting' last'night. There was an attendance of 80 members. Evidence of the growing strength of the club was that it had been found necessary last season to enter four teams in the' third grade competitions, said- Mr. Heenan. This had been due to the marked increase in the membership. Lite club had won the third grade, first division, had finished second in the senior, first division championship, and m the third grade third, third division, and third in the fifth grade, second division. Other teams had nerformed creditably, the club finishing fourth out of 25 clubs in the club chapipionship. Congratulations were extended to the coaches, who had played a prominent part in the season’s success, to the office-bearers, and to those who had gained representative honours, notably E. W. Tmdill. Entertaining reminiscences were given by Mr. Heenan, who expressed pleasure at seeing present so many old stalwarts, in particular Messrs. M. Hyland and S. Coekroft, who were among the original members of the Athletic club. The appearance among the troph.v winners and in other phases of the chili's activities of the names of young men whose fathers had also given the club splendid service showed what a fine institution it was, recalling the old saying, “Dike father, like son.” The Club sought to provide a service to the community, and he felt this object, had been well achieved and carried on. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Reference was made by Mr. Heenan to the great'l'oss sustained by the club durin" tlie year byf the death of its president,' Mr. W. S. (“Pa”) Ridler. pne of the greatest friends the club had had and that anv sport might have. One very fitting tribute had been paid to his memory, and one that signified his intense interest in the welfare of the club, by the lower grades having a most unsuccessful season. During his long asso.cia-

tion with the club Mr. Ridler had encouraged young players, urging that they be given every consideration, and his work and inspiration had borne splendid fruit during the years. So long as the club lived, said Mr. Heenan, so also would live the memory of Mr. Ridler, a memory which he felt sure would be an inspiration to present members to tread the same path and pursue the same A tribute was also paid by Mr. Heenan to Mik F. Glasgow, a vice-president, and one of the finest forwards the game had produced; also to Mr. W. ("Cherry ) Bourke, secretary for many years, both of whom bad died during the year. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. J. AV. Heenau; vice-presidents, last year s re-elected and Messrs. C. Murphy, J. Cunningham and J. Wells; club captain, Air. F. C._ Atkinson; assistant club captain, Mr. H. Adams; secretary. -Mr. F. J. S. Adam; treasurer, Mr. B. Warwick ; assistant secretary and treasurer, Mr. E. Bezzmit; committee, Messrs. 11. Auetad, M. Richardson, R. Watson, N. Boyd, J. B. Ihurston, J. Godber, and S. Judd; auditors, Messrs. D. AV. Madden and AV. 11. Hales; delegates to Wellington Rugby Football Union, Messrs. 11. Murphy. I‘. C. Atkinson and A. Wilson. A notice of motion by Mr. M. Richardson, "that the term of the appointment ot president shall not exceed two successive years,” was carried. Mr. Richardson said his object was to enable the club to pay the highest honour it could to many who had rendered splendid service to it. The motion was seconded by Mr. Heenan, who said he felt the elub would not lose’anything by the move. It was decided to make arrangements for a match with the Kuku Mauakau club at Easter. Senior Competition. The opinion that the proposal of the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union for a reorganization of the senior competition, though a step in the right direction, did not go far enough, was expressed by Mr. Richardson when the suggestion came before the meeting. There were far too many senior teams-, said Air. Richardson. He felt that the game would not be restored to its former standard till the number of teams was drastically cut. He favoured a reduction to eight teams in the first division and eight teams in the second division. That meant that players would have to transfer, a move that might not be popular, but seemed to be the only may to rebuild the .standard. The trouble today was that it was too easy for players to gain senior status. Mr. H. Murphy said the object of the management, committee was to secure a lead from the clubs, and try to reach the best solution of a problem that was becoming more acute year by year. • After other expressions of opinion it was decided that the delegates to the Wellington. Rugby Union support the proposal in principle.

WELLINGTON CLUB The annual report of the Wellington Rugby Foolbail Club states that the past year was from every point of view a most satisfactory one. .Teams were entered in all three senior divisions, and one of the features of the season’s record was the much improved showing of the first fifteen. The junior 111 team performed excellently to top the ladder in its grade. The numerical strength of the club is 546, made up as follows President and vice-presidents, 28: life, 22; active, 211; honorary, 285. AVith 139 points, the club again secured the satisfactory position of third in the club championship, Petone gaining first place with 189, and Hutt corning second with 156. "We would point to the significance of this competition,” the report continues, “indicating as it does the total strength of the club, and would urge a united effort to improve the position of our club.” “Possessing a highly efficient set of backs, the senior Al team produced some brilliant displays, and it attained the very creditable position of third in the grade, after defeating in the last two matches the ultimate winners and the runners-up. The team was a distinct credit to the club, and its success was due in no small degree to the work of the coach, Mr. F. D. Kilby, and to the leadership of the captain. Mr. M. AL Cooper.” A severe loss was sustained by the transfer in September to Sydney of Mr. 11. 11. Trapp, who, during his five years’ association with the club, had given outstanding service as player, vice-captain and captain of the first fifteen, member of the management committee, and chairman of the social sub-committee. Another valuable member lost by transfer at tlie same time was Air. L. 11. Edwards, a brilliant player with service ou the management committee.

UNIVERSITY CLUB’S ANNUAL REPORT The 1938- Rugby season is described as successful and" enjoyable in the annual report, of the Victoria University College Football Club. The club had a record number of members and was able to enter eight teams in the union competitions. states the report. However, toward the end of the season one of the third-grade teams had to be withdrawn beeausp of the shortage of players, due in part to injuries. The senior fifteen was the <?nly team to win a championship, though the third A's were runnersup, and, with a more favourable draw, might have finished on top. "The committee wishes to thank' all members for their support during the year, and trusts that the same splendid elub spirit will be evinced during the coming season.” the report continues. "The management committee of the YVellington Rugby Union is bringing forward a recommendation that (he senior A first division be increased to accommodate 12 teams. If this arrangement comes into force our fifteen will probably gain promotion, and the club may be able to climb back to the great days at the end of the last decade.’’ Club Meeting 'file Miramar District Rugby Club will hold itr 1 annual general meeting in tlie Sports Hall, Miramar Avenue, Miramar, beginning at 7.30 p.m. next Monday.