SOCCER CODE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1931, Page 3

SOCCER CODE

GAME IN WELLINGTON

The 1930 season gave the Wellington Football Association considerable concern, mainly owing to the fact that the takings at the Basin Reserve, the principal Soccer ground, showed a decrease of £231 5s 9d. The drop is partly accounted for by the Management Committee foregoing the usual matches on 3rd June, the day of the Rugby match between Great Britain and Wellington. "To show further interest in a sister code," states the- annual report of the Wellington Football Association, "matches were also postponed on 9th August, the day of the fourth Test." Owing to the new system which came into operation at the beginning of the season, capitation fees were £41 14s less than the previous year, owing to a fewer number of. teams in the higher divisions. For the first time in the history of the Association Grounds Company a dividend was declared. The report stresses that the success of the game continues in Wellington. The association claims to be the most solid association in New Zealand, and is lookins to the 1931 season with great conlidence. The standard of football in the higher divisions was better than the previous season, but, it is pointed out, there is still room for improvement.' In regard to the Football Association trophy, regret is expressed that the return match with Auckland did not eventuate. "The problem of finding sufficient grounds for the playing of the weekly matches has given the committee anxiety," the report states. "The problem would be solved if each club had its home ground, but there is only one, or perhaps two grounds, where a club has a large number o£ teams playing. The City Council is doing its best to overcome the ground-prob-lem, and it is hoped that with the further provision of playing areas available this season the association will be enabled to obtain more grounds. Sixteen playing ureas, in addition to the Basin Reserve, were allocated by the Reserves Committee of the City Council, and that number was all that could be expected of those available." Accidents were much more numerous than in the previous year, with the result that the Accident Insurance Fund Buffered to the extent of £39 7s Od. REFEREES. Appreciation of the splendid support given by player referees is made in the annual report of the Wellington Soccer Referees' Association. The 1930 season, it is stated, was the best on record. as far as referees fulfilling their engagements was concerned. .Factors which contributed to a successful year were lectures on the rides of the game; assistance given by the Now Zealand Council, New Zealand Referees' Association, and W.F.A.; and the general interest maintained in the Wellington Referees' Association. The report expresses satisfaction with the Appointment Board. The balance-sheet is in a healthy condition.