FOOTBALL

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 15, 18 July 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL

WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION. THE "COACH" QUESTION. DELEGATES GIVEN A FREE HAND. 'A special meeting of delegates of the Wellington Rugby Union was held in Batkin's Rooms last evening to further consider the matter of instruction to delegates, re the appointment of a coach to visit England with the New Zealand team. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. T. King. The action of the New Zealand Union in appointing a coach, has been exercising the minds of Rugby followers for some time past, and a special meeting, of the governing body is to be held this evening to finally discuss the appointment. Tho Management Committee of the Wellington Union originally voted its delegates a free hind at the New Zealand Union meeting. A meeting of delegates reversed this ordfr and instructed delegates to vote against the inclusion of the coach. At least one delegate refused to represent tho Wellington Union unless given a free hand to vote on the evidence forthcoming at the meeting. This fact and' communications received from tho New Zealand Union and tho Auckland Union iri reference to the matter prompted the local union to call last night's special meeting of delegates. The communication from the New Zealand Union gave the reasons for the appointment of tho coach,, as published in these columns last Saturday week The Auck- ' land Union, which is against the appointment of the coach, forwarded a detailed statement" of its views on i the question. Mr. Ward asked the Chairman how thfc professional lawa would apply to the coabh, and. also if 'the Union is aware of the legal liability mentioned in the New Zealand. Union circular. Mf. Wylie, Secretary of the New Zealand Union, said the union had taken advice as to, what the position would be if it was decided not to send the coach, and this was to the effect that the coach would have a claim ' against the union if he was not now sent 1 with, the team. The coach is 'riot being paid any more than the players. Mr. Murray moved that the motion passed at the last meeting of delegates be rescinded, and that the delegates to the New Zealand Union meeting be given a free hand. Mr. Grant thought it would be even better to pay a. sum of money in preference to sending the coach, who Was unpopular with the team, and whose presence would lead to friction. He thought it childish of the Management Committee to say it Would resign if delegates went against it in this matter. Mr. White .was sorry the Wellington committee had taken up a "Yes"-"No" attitude, and called this meeting after delegates had given their representatives an instruction. He considered the appointment of a coach was a breach of confidence, and he would vote against it. Mr. Ward opposed the motion to send a coach. He did not think an assistant manager necessary, and quoted the English team as an instance of doing without managers. Mr. Hunter was against binding delegates, quite, outside of the coach question altogether. His charge against the New Zealand Union was that it did everything in thb dark and did not let them know what was being done. . Mr. Weir said they had only £50 guaranteed for expenses in England, which would be from £200 .to £300 per week, and would havfe to come out of gate-money. Mr. M'lntyre thought that the meeting might suggest to the New Zealand Union that another forward or two be sent if it could be financed. After tho recent games in Australia he thought a coach was necessary. Mr. Wylie explained that the New Zealand Union has considered the advisableness of sending extra players, and if on the return of the team from Australia funds are found to be in a satisfactory position more men might be Sent. Mr. M*Kehrie said the English team had a paid trainer when it was in New Zealand. He had one grievance against the New Zealand Union — namely, too much of its business is done in camera. Mr. Welsh was againsb the coach going. If the New Zealand team could not get on without him it should stay at home. Messrs. Woon and Brown both supported tho appointment of a coaoh, and thought the Wellington Union .should back up the New Zealand Union. Mr. Murray's motion was put to the meeting, and watf carried by 21 to 7.