SOCCER

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 92, 19 April 1930, Page 18

SOCCER

Sv "Vanguard"

GAME IN THE DOMINION QUIET SEASON AHEAD PROBLEM OF SCHOOL FOOTBALL The coming Association football season promises to hold very little of moment for the average player and supporter in New Zealand. There is only one matter that is likely to arouse any interest, and ,that is the tour to Australia to be made by a boys' team. This is in return to the visit of an Australian boys' team made not so long ago. It has long been recognised by those controlling football that once the schoolboys aye interested in the game the code should have little to fear, and it is in pursuance of that policy that the visits were arranged. There can be no doubt that when the. Australians were here there was a great deal of interest 'in schoolboys' football, an 3 ever since, the visit the interest has been maintained in view of the announcement that a New Zealand team was to go abroad. School football in New Zealand has reached a high plane, and there is every indication that the team which goes away should worthily represent the Dominion. Apropos of the subject, the. annual report of the New Zealand Football Association stated:—"ln no previous season has school football reached such a high standard as that shown during tho season. The enthusiastic band of workers who had controlof the primary schools tournaments held during the same month"in tho North and South Islands deservo more than a word of praise, and tho work of those gentlenion who comprised the respective committees which controlled the games have the best thanks of the council. It is interesting to note that the South Island tournament was held in two groups, each;province entering two teams.", ' " Still in Doubt. No doubt thore will be a feeling of general dissatisfaction among players —if not actual disappointment—at the turn events have taken in connection with the visit to Australia this season of a senior representative side. It is somo years now since New Zealand and Australia met on the playing fields of Association football, and it cannot be gainsaid that the game in tho Dominion would be very much the bettor for an exchange of toams. The last overseas (team which toured the Dominion was ■the Canadian side, and since that date the funds of the New Zealand Council have been so depleted as to debar the council from more than just considering a tour. Past experience has shown New Zealand's geographical position is such, combined with the fact that the supporters of the' code at present are limited in number, that it would be foolhardy for the New Zealand Council to attempt to bring a team hero from far overseas without considerable' preparation in the way of consolidating the financial position. The gamo in New Zealand could not just now bear the heavy expense, and accordingly the Dominion must look to Australia. In the Commonwealth, however, it is reported that domestic troubles are such that even if a New Zealau.d side made the trip tho tour would be a fiasco. It is reported that matters between - the constitutional and tho unconstitutional body are still unsettled, and as the latter organisation is reported to be the strongest, the position from tho point of view of the New Zealand team making the trip is not too promising. The delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association this week decided that it would bo unwise to send a team away unless an amicable settlement was arrived at. ' The present chances of the team going .are not very bright. . .'■■ In spite of the many difficulties that beset its path in the way of endeavour-, ing to bring overseas teams here, tho New Zealand Council has not yet given up hope of seeing the day when a team from the Homeland will visit the Dominion. Finance is, of course, one of the big factors, but the council is determined in its own mind, and no'doubt it will be supported by the majority of the supporters of the game in this country, that a Homo side should come hero. It may be several seasons before the tour eventuates, but the opinion is expressed that it is bound to come..The game is making progress in New Zealand, and it will be only a matter of time before, the code is in a strong enough position to undertake the obligations necessary for the visit. Its House in Order. Last season was one of the quietest seasons that has been experienced in Association football circles for several years, but ■ nevertheless it was one of the most important. The entire season was spent by the New Zealand council iv marking time, to outward appearances, but in reality it was a season of reconstruction. As v .the result,' the parent body is now able to announce that the debit balance with which the season was commenced has been converted into a credit balance. This should be welpome news to /all those who have the Soccer code at heart, for it means that slowly but surely the game is continuing to gain strength in the Dominion. It behoves the council still to pursue a policy of caution as far as finance is concerned, as tho progress the game is to make depends almost entirely upon the financial position of the head organisation. Soccer in tho Schools. One of the subjects'to which a great deal of, attention was paid by delegates to the annual meeting of the N.Z.F.A. this week was the question of football in the schools. This matter is probably one of the most important that the gamo has to face in New Zealand at the present time, besides being a very knotty problem. It has long been recognised by managements of all varieties of sport that to ensure the healthy life of a sport it must flourish in tho schools in order that a continuous supply of players may fill tho ranks which become depleted as the older players retire. As far as the primary schools aro concerned, there appears to be little dissatisfaction. Primary schools Association football in the Dominion is in a very strong position; in fact, relatively, the standard of play shown by the schoolboys of to-day is stated to bo bettor than that of their seniors. But it is in the secondary schools that the gamo is meeting with opposition. It is well known to those who follow Soccer that the code is not liked in the majority of the secondary schools, and the New Zealand council recently considered the whole position. A return placed before tho annual meeting of delegates showed that the

position was not very encouraging. The report stated: ""While in the major centres, and on© minor centrCj tho committee is of opinion that the game is holding its own in the primary schools, we do think that greater efforts should be made by some of the minor associations in endeavouring to establish the code in the primary schools in. their respective districts. "The position respecting secondary sclioolb is most discouraging, and drastic steps will have to be taken by local associations, backed up by the New Zealand council, to have the game included in the sports curriculum of all secondary schools. "After carefully studying the objections submitted in the various rerjlies, it would appear that lack of interested headmasters and teachers in the primary and secondary schools is partly responsible for the small number of schools playing Association football. Generally speaking, the opinion seems to be lack of interest by teachers, local associations, and principally clubs in districts where there are schools. "The committee recommends- that tho following suggestions be offered to all affiliated associations with a view to trying to encourage . the game in every primary and secondary school throxigliont the Dominion: (1) By meeting the headmaster and teachers of primary schools in conference; (2) endeavour to obtain from them, if possible, an assurance that if pupils desii'O to play Soccer they will be allowed to form a club and play under the school name; (3) get clubs in districts where schools aro established to be responsible for the coaching and training of pupils (this is important); (4) the .establishment of a special select committee to control junior and school football, this committee to bo under tho jurisdiction of the local association; (5) tho special committee frequently to meet tho staff of all schools in their district and also the parents' association or school committee; (6) supply free footballs; (7) playing of interprovincial and'inter-Island games; (8) endeavour to introduce the game into tho sports programmo of the training colleges. ;' "The above points are very nearly applicable to secondary schools. Tho suggestion for the establishment of the game in the training'colleges is most important. The- committee would suggest that the local associations obtain some concrete information as to the number of trainees who have played and still desire to play Soccer football, and who are " attending the various training colleges. Information should also be sought as to, whether any obstacle has been placed- in. the way of the formation of a team or teams to play under the college name. "The committee is of opinion that teams could be obtained from each training college, provided the game was recognised by the college authorities. , The question of schools football was considered by the Management Committee of the Wellington Football Association this weok, when it was doxcided that a conference should be called between representatives of the New Zealand Council and tho W.F.A. and the subject discussed. Coaches. The question of coaches has been raised, a'suggestion which, in the cori)mitteo's opinion, is a most valuable one and would have, far-reaching results. It has ■ been suggested that the New Zealand council should endeavour to obtain a qualified coach from England, but this is not practicable owing to the present state of the finances of the controlling body. What we' do suggest, however, is that each local association obtain the services of a coach from amongst senior players. During the coming winter months there may bo a'number of players not fully employed in their occupations, and from amongst these a suitable man, or inon, could surely be found to undertake this most important work. The question of ( payment of coaches will be raised, and we are of opinion that those players who undertake coaching duties and still desire to play for their respective .clubs should not break their amateur status. "In conclusion, the committee is very strongly of the opinion that the establishment and carrying on. of the gamo in both primary and secondary schools is essentially the work of tho various associations, and, through the associations, the affiliated clubs. We need hardly point out that clubs interesting themselves in a particular school will receive the ultimate benefit by having a recruiting ground foi\players in their lower grade teams. "Concerning secondary schools, we think further efforts should be made by interviews with headmasters or boards of governors of those schools not playing our game. Further, we are of opinion that in case of refusal by , such authorities, we; suggest the formation of old boys' clubs of such schools, with a view to !at least endeavouring to secure the scholars when they leave school." ■ English Trophy Matches. The problem of the playing of English trophy matches has yet to be solved by the New Zealand Council and the local associations. When the trophy was presented it was arranged that tho provinces should play each other, and that at the conclusion of the season the trophy shbuld be awarded on the points system. This form of competition, held under the auspices of the New Zealand Council, proved iar too costly, and it was abandoned. Last year the cup was competed for as a challenge trophy, but ! finance again loomed a large problem in the conduct of matches, and the competition was not a. brilliant success. . . ■ Delegates to the anual meeting of tho N.Z.F.A. considered the playing of the matches when the Otago Association moved a remit urging that the competition' be put on its original basis, and that to eliminate expense home associations should arrange for the billeting of players. Further, it was recommended that no entertainment expenses be allowed to associations in connection with F.A. trophy matches. The suggestion that the players should be billotted met with a mixed reception at the hands of delegates. On tho one side it was argued that soccer football was slipping, and anything that could tend to make the game stronger and more attractive (such as the remit provided) should be given a good measure of consideration. Against that, it was argued that billeting was all right for schoolboys, but would be a failure when it came to senior representative payers. That lat-;er view has a great deal to commend it. The meeting did not split on a vote, the remit being withdrawn by the consent of delegates. Later, the subject was discussed when general business was being considered. The result of the discussion was that the council wa recommended to investigate the playing of F.A. trophy matches and try and arrange for homo and away games. If the council is again to undertake the control of the matches its decision will not be very beneficial unless it is accompanied by financial assistance. Failing that, it seems that the only

course is to leave the games to the local associations. They should know to what extent they can commit thomaelves financially, and whether they have sufficient public support to ensure the playing of the matches being a success,