PRIMARY SCHOOL RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 282, 23 August 1940, Page 3

PRIMARY SCHOOL RUGBY

Conference Of Teacher

Coaches

HIGH STANDARD OF GAME

The enthusiasm .with which Rugby is conducted in the primary schools of the North Island was shown at the annual meeting of delegates held at the close of the quadrangular tournament which has recently been held in Wellington. Seventeen teachers, representing Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Ilorowhenua, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley and Wellington, met to discuss primary school Rugby, and' a communication was also received from Rangitikei. At present Taranaki, Horowlienua, Rangitikei, and Hutt Valley combine to form one tournament, and Wanganui, Wairarapa, Manawatu ami Wellington make up the other. Discussion centred in a proposal to regroup the districts concerned, but most of the delegates felt that there was nothing to be gained by altering the status quo at this time. z\ motion was passed pledging the schools' unions concerned to endeavour not. only to continue Rugby in the schools as usual, but also to carry on the tournaments as at present constituted. From remarks made l>y delegates, it. could be gathered that interest in the game- is as keen as ever, and the lie was' given to the opinion apparently held iu some quarters that primary school Rugby has deteriorated. Furthermore, the opinion was expressed that some parent unions are not in the habit, of _ fully acquainting themselves with the doings of the schools’ unions which provide I so many players. While some have not been slow to acknowledge the work done, there is, iu marked contrast to this, a tendency in some unions to offer little or no encouragement, to those who are successfully teaching the fundamentals of the game to the players of the future. Finance also received attention. While some districts have managed to provide the funds necessary for carrying on the work, others have been having a very lean time. This year, while some unions have received ample financial support from the parent bodies, others have .received little or uo assistance in running tournaments.

It was decided to appoint a representative sub-committee to wait on the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union tomequaint that body with the work being done, and also to request a continuance and, if possible, a general increase in the grant made for school football.