FOR NEXT SEASON

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 69, 18 September 1925, Page 9

FOR NEXT SEASON

A LEAGUE GROUND

WHAT OF ATHLETIC PARK?

A prediction that the football season of 1926 would open with a. Rugby League ground in Wellington, and that the game would advance to such an extent that the Eugby Union would want to. change its,name and have Rugby League 1 played on Atehletic Pahk; was made,by Mr. H. Sunderland, a manager of; *he Queensland League football team, at a social function Tlast evening. Having heard that the Wellington League' was badly in need of .a playing area of its own;. Mr. Sunderland said that he was going to have a proposition put before the proper authorities to make sure that there would be a League ground in Wellington. He knew. that the English Rugby League had an accumulated reserve fund of £30,000 or £40,000, and that ■ _ the Queensland and New South Wales Rugby League bodies had funds {or the purpose of fostering the game. It was his intention, therefore, to bring Wellington's position under notice in the proper quarters,;, and to place, before the bodies he had mentioned sorn£ definite and concrete proposal. ,\ .Other.. speakers at the function hiid made' references "to ; Wellington's principal need. Mr. H; de Wolfe, of the New Zealand Bugby League ' Council, said that the parent body realised that' Wellington was "up against it." "We are out to boost Wellington all we can, ' he added, "We know that the ground .question is a problem, but I think the time is coming when things are going to change, and you will have your ground and you will have the players." Messrs. J. S. Dickson and J. A. Lee, M.P.'s, both realised Wellington's need of a ground. "Keep believing, and make up your minds. that you are getting a ground!"' Mr. Dickson suggestedi "We know that grounds are hard to get," remarked Mr. Lee, "but the New Zealand League must do. something to. get a ground here and place the game on the map.". . :. .: