SOCCER

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 79, 3 April 1926, Page 22

SOCCER

By ' VANauAHD'" ' A BIG SEASON

PROGRAMME FOR 1926

AUSTRALIANS MAY VISIT, NEW. ZEALAND. .

There are big. things. ahead this season so . far as Association football -is concerned. During the recess officials governing" the game have not been idle, and the coming season may be entered upon with a feeling of. optimism. While it is a matter for keen regret that negotiations with South- Africa and Canada broke down,' it is very gratifying to know that our good ~ friends across- the Tasman will very probably pay New Zealand a visit ■ before the season is. very far advanced. At time of writing, it is not quite certain that the tour will take place, but players' and the' public may rest assured that the council is making every endeavour to bring it about. If the. Australians do come, it may be: taken that the team will be made up of real topnotchers, and the public should be assured of many, first-class representative games. '■',". In addition to the games which the visit of the Australians will provide, the season will, be an interesting one from the point of representative fixtures. Interprovincial -contests are sure to be very keen, and in these Wellington will have, a special interest, as this province at present. holds the coveted Brown-Shield. It is probable that this season will see: an alteration in the 1 rules governing coritests between the major associations: ';'■.; A recommendation will be placed before the annual meeting of. the New Zealand Football' Association next month that the. Competition-should be conducted under, a. set of. .rules similar to those at present governing, Plunket Shield (cricket) games. "The rules at present provide • that the * association holding the trophy should meet challenges on their home ground; that'they should not be called upon to travel at all. This system, however, has been shown to have serious disadvantages', one of the main of which is the.multiplicity of games which the-holders are called upon to play in one season in order to retain a hold on the shield. Too many representative matches, are not in the best interests'of the'game, as they interfere very seriously with club football,. which after all is . the backbone of the < game. Auckland has undoubtedly suffered- from a surfeit of representative fixtures during the past few seasons, and no doubt .Wellington will have the same experience this season if the rules are not amended. That this will be so is shown "-'by last season's experience. Although" Wellington took the shield away from Auckland towards the end of the year, they were not allowed to, rest on> their laurels, having to meet a challenge from South Auckland, almost' on the. last Saturday of the season. The local association did not mind this, but it is fairly certain that there would be serious objections if they were called upon to' play too many shield matches,,especially against minor associations, whose chances of success are not of the brightest. There seems to be a fairly general opinion that the time has arrived when a change in the rules should be made, and if any opposition comes forward when the matter is discussed,next month it will probably come from one or two minor associations, who may consider that they have prospects of annexing the shield. If the. proposal is carried, the four major associations —Wellington, Auckland, Canterbury, and .Otago —will play a series of home 'and away matches. Each team. will be called upon to do some travelling each season, and the extent of the travelling will not be the same in any two seasons;.it will be evenly apportioned. The major associations will also have the right to call on any players from within their province to play in'shield matches. The proposal is that major associations should compete annually for,the Football Association trophy recently presented to the New Zealand Council, and that the Brown Shield should-be competed for by the minor associations. The proposed amendments to the rules will form one of the, main topics of discussion at the annual meeting, but it is generally expected that they will be endorsed by delegates. ' Replacement of Players.. At the end of last season, when Wellington defeated Auckland in the Brown Shield match the question arose as to whether replacement of players injured during the progress of play should be allowed. The chairman of the Auckland Association (Mr.. A, Menzies) set the ball rolling at a. funcjtion the match by suggesting that the time had arrived when the replacement of players should be allowed, and he instanced what had taken'place in the match. Certainly Auckland were unfortunate in losing the services of a couple of men, but with: all due respect to Mr. Menzies one cannot but wonder if the matter would have cropped uj) if Auckland had not been defeated. At the time Mr. Menzies received very little support for his contention, and the manager of the 'Wellington team (Mr. A. Williams) did not hesitate to express his entire disapproval of the suggestion that.':' injured players be replaced. In opposing the principle, Mr. Williams had the whole weight of the English Football Association's rules behind him. The Auckland Association has not. been convinced during the off-season, however,,and at 'the annual meeting of the New Zealand Association delegates from the Auckland body will be the prime movers in an endeavour to have the rules amended to provide for the-replacement of injured players. Auckland has not been slow in disseminating, a good; deal of propaganda in favour of the proposal, and it is stated that quite a number of associations in New.Zealand aro prepared to back the proposal.. The indications are that voting on the subject will be fairly even, and' it would not come, as a surprise to- the writer if the proposal were carried. In this column last year; the writer did not hesitate to oppose the, principle of replacements,' and this year he sees no reason for a change' of front. The English Association, which is the parent body, and has had years of experience in all phases of tlie game, has not seen any reason to make a change in the rules, and. in the opinion of "Vanguard" it would be a mistake on the part of tho New Zealand body to make a move in-the'matter. It is certainly unfortunate for a team to lose tho services of players in m important game, but while the rule stands at Homo teams in New Zealand should put up with the position. , New Rules. This season will be notable for the: introduction of the new off-side rule, , maJcing it necessary for a 1 player to 'c wV$ two ni3fl (including^ the goal-

( keeper) in front of him v'heE ■ lie receives the ball or when the ball is in play. The new rule will tend to make the game much faster, and-, it is also probable that the scoring will be heavier, as forwards will have much greater freedom and greater- opportunities in front of the goal. That this is the effect of the rule has ' been : exemplified at Home, where the new 'rule was appHed during the season'now drawing to a close. Previously where matches were; decided by an. odd goal or so, the scoring, reached as much ;as half a dozen goals per match. If: this is'the result of the new rule when- it; is applied in New Zealand-—and'no doubt it will be—the game should become even more popular as a spectacle, and attendances' at Association matches this season should show a.tendency to increase. Another new rule which will be applied this season will be that relating to the "throw-in." The old rule provided that the half-back throwing in the ball should have some part of both feet on the side line and should face the field of play. The new-rules provide that the.man throwing the leather into play should stand behind the line, but whether he is entitled to raise his heels at the time.of throwing remains, to be decided, and this point will probably have to be interpreted sooner or later by the New Zealand Beferees' Association. The new rule makes no stipulation that the half-back should face the field of play. Apparently he may turn his back on the field, if he is so inclined, and throw the ball over his head. It, will be interesting to see the effect of the new rules when play begins in earnest. Local Manr.Tement. , It seems to be generally agreed that the local association V Management Committee '• has been considerably strengthened this season by the inclusion of several new members, some of whom are by bp means new to the game, and' a good year of solid-work may be looked for.; A notable addition to the: personnel of : the committee is Mr. "Vf. AuljJ, a veteran -enthusiast, whose love" for the game is second to none, and whose strenuous work in.the past has had the effect'of placing the game on a good basis. Mr.' Auld has not taken a prominent part in the management of the game ;l>r a: few years, although he has not spared himself in working in its interests. In the past he did yeoman service on tbe Fixtures Committee, and no doubt his services will be availed of in this connection this year. His experience, will ;also be of great assistance to the committee in general matters. Mr. George Aers, who represented the Keferees' Association on the committee a year or so ago, is back again as a delegate, and his experience will , also be.: of - great value. Other new members are Messrs. J. Coleman, W. Allen, and E. Edwards. Keen regret is expressed on all .aides at" the retirement from active participation in the game of Mr., A. Williams, who carried out the duties of secretary over .a period of twenty-two years. Many were the laudatory remarks which were made at tho annual meeting regarding the invaluable work carried out by Mr.. Williams, and the hope was expressed that something would be done to mark in fitting manner the close of so notable a career in, tho interests of Association football. Although Mr. Williams is relinquishing the post of secretary, it may be taken for granted that he will'retain a Ax;ry lively interest in the round-ball code. The suggestion has already been -mai'o in more than one quarter that .Mr. .Williams might be asked to accept" a position, as a selector of the Wellington representative team. The writer understands that Mr. Williams would be willing, to accept such a position, and certain it is that it would be extremely, difiicult to find a man more. suited, for the job. Mr. B. Martin has been appointed to succeed Mr. Williams as secretary, and he has already shown signs of his capacity for the "work and his capabilities. " ' , : ' ' " ' Association Park. . . As far as Association Park—the alleged hom,e of Soccer in Wellington—is concerned, the 1926 season opens as seasons have opened and closed for. quite a few years past; the ground.is still in more than sufficiently bad order, there is still no shelter of any kind whatever for those who pay their sixpences, and there is still,a big area of the park lying idle, no use as a playing area, and. not of particular delight to the eye. For quite a few seasons past "Vanguard" has rather rubbed it in. about the thoroughly unsatisfactory state of Association Park. and. even at the risk of becoming monotonous, is doing so., again, in' tho hope, however, that when noxtvfootball year comes along in dne, course it may not be necessary to rub ifc in again. . . '' Vanguards main argume is this: Until Association Park is made reasonably attractive, the game must hang back. The Management Committee last year plainly recognised—the players certainly did—that ttio playing surface was pretty, nearly unfit, for hard play, and only occasionally No. .1 ground, former;,*. the bettor of a poor pair, was used for A grade grames, presumably because B grade- players have stiffer ankles. The Management Committee also recognised—and this the public certainly did—that Association Park, without a: square inch of shelter of any kind, is an impossible place to collect sixpences in quantity. It is ridiculous to suggest tyat't^e few people vht- turned out at Association Park liisi wijiter represented the full number interested iv the club games played there; they were merely iall tl.ose who were willing to stand up to wnat wa» coming, to them in the way of week-end weather, in placo of watch'ng. another brand .of football somewhere else, or, dv Basin Reserve Saturdays,., staying in town. No Money. • • Tho answer to all this, the writer is well aware.;is that the association has no moiyjy, and that. it cannot do anything until it ha 3. That is v plain statement of fact, but it may be qualified, 'i'he association now has, or will have very. shortly. Association Park, for it is taking over the ground from the old company, and is, moreover, taking over the park unencumbered by mortgage. Presumably quitd.a number of shareholders, probably tho'majority, being all good sports,' v^. hand their shares in, and the othci-s may b' retained in the form of debentures. Tjiere is nothing, therefore, to stop tho association getting a move on and doing something, first of all to raise funds somewhere. It cannot be claimed that any real' effort has been mado in that direction just,lately. ": : Selp-help Wanted. . Let us be cheerful, and imagine that the association ha 3 the Basin for the full season, let us be still more cheerful and imagine that the weather is fine and gates arc big; association funds will benefit considerably. Will that build a.stand and lay out in better style and better surface Association Park! It most certainly will not. Cap.itation fees are now outstanding, to tho

extent of something over, £100.Ms that a fair deal to the association? . The association says not, but its members are notoriously biased in favour of getting the money in. And Basin' Reserve balances and full payment' of capitation will not together bring the ground into order either, but there are in Wellington City and suburbs several hundred Soccer players; belonging to quite a few clubs. ,'.-.'. > Never once, unless' memory fails, has the writer heard of suggestions made by players and clubs whereby :they should get busy and help the: management to do something more than it can at the present time. Mr. Albert Wells some years ago proposed! a carnival for the raising of money for. Association boosting generally, but the war came along, and the carnival queen has never raised her head since.. ' ' ! The writer has already argued tlie matter to death, but it may be added that other sports .bodies in Wellington Auckland, and Dunedin have been up' against it in the way of improving hopeless,grounds, and have won but with-signal success, solely because:they decided to do Bometnihg 'and kept on deciding until it was done. : It is largely a matter of an enthusiastic lead.. •. . ■ ..-■•] Boys' Football. .' As in the other branches, the prospects for the Association code:in the boys' grades are' very bright, and the 1926 season should be one-of the most successful yet experienced in the lower grades. This season a seventh grade competition has been established in the Hutt Valley for boys, under the age of 15 years on Ist April next,.and this should do much to increase the;popularity of the game in the environments of the city. In addition, greater scope will be given city teams by; the decision to restrict the age for the seventh grade to under 13, and the age for the sixth grade to under 14. , The Mafist (Newtown) Club, in bringing forward the notice of motion to restrict the ages of the seventh A and B grades.to under 13 years, have done an excellent thing for Soccer in the lower; grades. The result will be .that the average boy underl3 years of age will not be playr ing against a much heavier boy. .'...' All teams need. coaching, junior teams particularly so, and in this connection it is particularly pleasing' to note that Thomas and M'Elligbtt, of Marist, have undertaken to coach the Newtown and Thorndon boys respectively. These teams should benefit considerably from the; instructions':-from these two senior players, whose example could well be followed by others. The Seatouh Club will again be entering teams in all.grades, and' the fine example-set by this club, in. the, past in the coaching of the boys'; teams has been a big;factor in the success of the club.' Messrs. Smythe and Webb: are two who have given a great deal of time in this 1 direction. ..-"'., .' A happy selection was made at the annual meeting of the W.P.A. when Messrs.: J. Coleman and W. Allen were appointed to represent .the boys the local Management Committee.;,.; Both Messrs. Coleman and .Allen- have had considerable experience of the game, and those who have the interests :of: the : boys at heart may rest assured, that their welfare will be well, attended to. -• This year Wellington will again.; be the centre where the. .public schools' tournament will be held, and,after the fine display given, at this tournament last season, a very high: standard of play may be expected. Then, the; Waikato boys demonstrated their superiority in. a marked manner, and it now remains for the local school teams to .train assiduously, so as to , be. fit,. and worthy representatives .of their: city. ' Last season a Technical College team was sent to Auckland. This should be the means of greater interest being displayed amongst the secondary schools in the competition. . Auckland ■ Technical are due for a visit to this season. ". ■ , .. '■.'.-. Brooklyn will be. entering a fourth grade team this season, composed: mainly of ex-St. Patrick 'a, boys. Institute will again be represented : by- teams in all .grades, and.. V.M.C.A. will have teams.in at least four boys' grades.., The boys' sub-committee of the W.P.A. have a;big season before.them and the members of' the committee will be wise if they make adequate" preparations from the very beginning.. Boys'' football in* Wellington is. improving rapidly, and it should be '■'. the' policy \,6£ those controlling it to that provision by way of . representative matches is given the boys in order that the high standard' attained may be maintained. . „- . ■ ,' •;.■". , ; In Canterbury. ' . ' ' ■ Speaking at, the animal' meeting of the Canterbury Football Asbciation, the president (Mr. B. English) said that he believed the big trophy which had been presented to New Zealand by the English Football Association would be played for this season, and he hoped Canterbury would secure the shield.. The methods of training by representatives in the past had been very lax, and he urged on those who would represent Canterbury this season to twin thoroughly. Men who had been selected to represent Canterbury last season had not always taken-it as an honour to do.so. He wanted the players this season to be more united and t5 help the sport as: best thtey' could. Several gentlemen had been taxed by the work they had done-fpr the game. One man was so rushed that -he appeared' before the Court for speeding^ Association football had taken a-great hold in Canterbury, as the .750 players registered showed.. : One .sad feature was that the code was not: allowed in the secondary, schools. The only /reason, he thought, was because it might'affect the sister code. He hoped that secondary school support would yet be secured. Notes by the Way. .'- ; . ; G. Campbell, the V.M.C.A. and Wellington representative. csLptainy.who announced his retirement from the game at the end of last season-on account of ai pending* trip to the] Old Country, has now postponed his- trip for some months,' and he ,will turn out again this season. ■"•"•..''•■■■■ ■;-. L. 0. Atkinson, th,e secretary'of the N.Z.F.A., who played for YiM.C.A.. last year, will not be donning the jersey this year. This player, had'rath>r :.a hard spin in the matter of injuries and illness last season, and he, his decided to take a spell. He is: tb be married shortly.. -■'-'•'■ ' .'-. .'.-' ■ I-"-If the association should be'happy in the result of its negotiations with the City Council for the-use: of the Basin Eeserve this season the promise of better finance is already bright; that remains to be seen, but undoubtedly an arrangement whereby the Basin should be available to Soccer players' on s'uc^ cessive Saturdays—thereby building up interest, instead of drawing enthusiasts always and catching casuals npw. and again—would be of real value to Soccer and of considerable financial benefit tb the reserves department pf. 'the City Council.. And let it be saidat onco that the balance-sheet of Basin Reserve affairs can do with a little adjusting, though there should be no difficulty whatever in lightening the deficit if the council made it 3 terms to sports bodies, if not attractive, at least reasonable. Although he was transferred-to Auckland a few weeks ago, it is probable that E.. Taylor, the Thistle full-back, will be in Wellington again before the Soccer season opens. ' He intends to play again. .','.' • ' Arthur Tarrant will be keeping goal for V.M.C.A. this year. Neil'M'Arthur, the V.M.C.A. and representative half, will not be playing this season. Thistle should be able to! place/a strong eleven in the field this season, as all the Scotch. teani3 have.come together under the one banner. J. Lothiau, who captained Scottish Wanderers last year, will probably lead. Thistle this season.;- , .