NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 43, 19 August 1908, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

A SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM. BROWN SHIELD. The Council of the New Zealand Football Association met last evening. Mr. J. J. Roberts presided, and there were present — Messrs. L. White, Oilier, Dixon, A. Williams, G. F. Brodie, H. N. Holmes, W. Auld, B. L. Salmon, ■Martin, and G. Wren. A proposal for a South African team, to tour New Zealand in 1909 was intro- ' duced by a letter from Mr. G. A. Vandel, now in Sydney. He stated that he had had wide experience of Association in different parts of the world. From his knowledge of New Zealand football, he thought it would bo a mistake for New Zealand to invite a team from New South Wales. The- game there, he alleged, was poor in. the extreme, and indifferently managed. In New Zealand matters were different ; Soccer was improvirg, and the management highly satisfactory. The game in South Africa, be explained, was superior to that in any part of tho world, excepting the Old Country, and a tour in 1909 of New Zealand by a South African comi bination would improve the standard considerably. Already three visits had been made to South Africa by an English eleven, one game drawing as many as 12,000 spectators. - Messrs. J. J. Roberts, F. J. Courtney, Oilier, L. White, B. L. Salmon, and H. N. Holmes were appointed a sub-committee to go into the financial aspect of the proposed tour, and report at an early date to the council. Mr. Holmes stated that Soccer eras now progressing in Adelaide. He intended going to Melbourne in about seven weeks' time, • and would 'be pleased to bring the subject of a South African tour before the' Sydney authorities when passing through there, and see what prospects there were of the Australasian colonies, uniting in sending an invitation to the South Africans. The council was asked for an opinion on the question as to whether a goal could be awarded to a team in consequence of an opponent, other than a goalk«eper, fisting a ball out of goal. The meeting resolved that a goal could not- be scored unless the ball went across the line. In such a case as this a penalty should be awarded against the offender. The Taranaki representative team was allowed to use all white uniforms for this season. The recently-formed Taihape Club wrote for information respecting the New Zealand Association. It was stated that Taihape was within the Welling-, ton district, and that the time had arrived when the area of the 'Wellington district should be curt-ailed to permit of a. Rangitikei Association being formed. The secretary was instructed to reply to this effect and to forward the letter to the Wellington Association. The Southland Association was affiliated to the council. An application by the Otago Wednesday footballers for permission to enter a team for' the Brown Shield competition was refused. The question of the Brown Shield, to be played at Dunedin on 9th, 10th and 12th September was discussed at length. The secretary reported that Auckland,^ Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland had entered for the tournament. It was decided that Southland and Taranaki should play at 1.30, and Otago and Canterbury at 3 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. The winners of the- first ronnd should playoff at- 1.30, and Auckland and Wellington at 3 o'clock on" Thursday. The final match should be played on Satur-, day at 3 o'clock. It was decided in tho matter of finances that the New Zealand Football Council should take 5 ( per cent, of the gross gate, Otago 5 per cent, of the net gate, the balance of the profits to be" divided amongst the visiting associations pro rata, according to their travelling expenses. The secretary reported that the subjects to be discussed at *the conference to be held at Dunedin were— (l) The future competitions for tho Brown Shield, (2) amateur status, (3) the visit of an English team or a tour of England by a colonial team, (4) New Zealand Referees' Association, (5) South African and intercolonial visits.