ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 97, 21 October 1931, Page 14

ASSOCIATION

A POSSIBLE VISIT

LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The possibility of a visit from a South African team next year was mentioned at ;i meeting of the New Zealand Football Association, presided over by Mr. I'1. Campbell, yesterday afternoon. The matter arose when a letter w.is received from the South African Football Association fitatiug that it had recently received au invitation to visit Java during July and Sep--1 ember, 1932. The mutter was now under consideration. ' t

Members considered that there was a possibility of a round tour being arranged, so that the'team could come to New Zealand from South Africa in May or Juno next year, spending about three weeks in the Dominion. About three weeks could perhaps be spent by the South Africans in Australia, and they could then proceed to Java. . . . It was decided to make inquiries about the shipping arrangements, and to get in touch with Java as to shaving the overhead charge if anything came of the negotiations. NEGOTIATIONS IN ENGLAND. Mr A J. Hyder, who is at present in England, wrote giving his views on the possibility of a visit from an English team two seasons hence. The view in an authoritative quarter in England, wrote Mr. Hyder, was that if' a team was sent to New Zealand it would have to be composed of players of class, as if a second-class team came out it would perhaps upset the prestige of English football. Jt had been suggested that if v team was sent to New Zealand the English Football Association -hould pay nil expenses to Wellington and back, and all expenses while the team was in New Zealand would be met by the New Zealand Football Association. The tour would possibly last 15 weeks —10 weeks coming to and going from New Zealand, and five weeks in the Dominion. The matter of finance concerning such a tour was to be placed before the English Football Association. As regards the standard of play in England, Mr. Hyder said he was present when Chelsea played Hud-, dersfield before an attendance of 40,000 spectators. He did not consider the standard of play very much greater than our own. All we required in New Zealand was to get the finer touches of the game, and this could only bo brought about by a visit from England, in which case, he thought, New Zealand would be able to hold its own.. -

The1 Wellington Football Association wrote stating that it wished the New Zealand Council every success in its efforts to get a visit from an overseas team. The general feeling, stated the Wellington As; sociation's letter, was that tho time was due for a visit from an overseas team. "

Appreciative reference was made by members to the services of Mr. R. P. Harrison to Soccer,, and especially to tchool football in Auckland, and his retirement, it was stated, was projected, after 19 years' work for the code. It was decided to send a donation to Auckland for a trophy from the council for presentation to Mr. Harrison.