REPORT TO N.Z.F.A.

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 109, 11 May 1938, Page 6

REPORT TO N.Z.F.A.

APPROACH TO COLLEGES

MANY SUGGESTIONS

A problem that has long troubled the New Zealand Football Association and Its'.'affiliated associations—that of introducing Association football into those schools which at present forbid it, despite the wish of boys to play it —v>as „the subject of a comprehensive report by Mr. W. J. I. Vaney, convener of the N.Z.F.A. schools' committee, to the - meeting of the council of the New Zealand Football Association last night. The. chairman (Mr. J. A..Milburn) and Mr. Vaney were appointed to act , with~the Wellington Football Association in approaching the secondary schools. The council is to suggest to affiliated associations that primary school games should. be played on grounds measuring not more than 75 yards by 50 yards, penalty area and goals to be reduced accordingly. v Where suitable, the effect can be achieved by playing crosswise on half a full-size field. The Wellington Association is to be asked to have two school games played on fee Basin Reserve under such conditions. All associations are to be asked for suggestions on coaching, particularly in the primary schools. MR. VANEY'S REMARKS. ,"A conference should be called with tile Wellington Football Association and arrangements completed for a joint approach to be made to the authorities (or principals) of the Wellington secondary schools," said Mr. Vaney. "Although the game is apparently played in our primary schools at present (I am referring here to Wellington), it is rather played with than played at Investigation will readily disclose that the present competitions are .unsatisfactory and the average standard low; ' that teams are . not I coached and not properly supervised; 1 i that teams come to games unattended !by masters; and that masters are lacking in enthusiasm, do not know the t rules themselves, and do not under- ' [ stand the game. ' j ' ORGANISED COACHING. "I am definitely of the opinion that ; organised coaching offers the only pos- 1 sible solution of the problem of raising i the; itaiidard of play in this country, s and that all the efforts of the council should be devoted to this end. By raising the general standard of plajs you will revive public interest in the game,, improve the gates at club and representative matches, 'and the improved 'financial position of this body and its . affiliates will provide the wherewithal to carry on >to* constantly 1 improvi the standard of efficiency. You cannbt build iany lasting edifices except ] oil a sound foundation, aind the founda- ] tions of any organised team game are ] the primary and secondary school ( pupils and the lower grades of the | clubs. ,

i "Coaches," continued- Mr. Vaney. "should be appointed to educate teachers in the rules and finer points of the game, interest them, and demonstrate to them how to coach the pupils under their car.e.' The method of the coaches should be strictly confined, so far as players under 16 are concerned, first/an<J foremost to teach- | ing ball control in' all its phases. Positional -'boy;, could well" be entlrely alone uniil he has i mastered the fundamentals of control. v -NO HOPE FROM IMMIGRATION. "There is no immediate prospects of any considerable resumption of immigration in the near:future, and evealif this country were to reach again its peak of 10,000 migrants a year, the results achieved would not. be- in any way superior to that attained in the past," said Mr. Vaney. "Th« great majority fit the immigrants would take no .great interest in football of any kind, and of those who did, 90 per cent, would be lound following the Rugby code after less than.lo years residence in this country. If'you cannot make this game your own, played by and holding the interest of a fair proportion of New Zealand born, then the future of association football in this country is without hope. , ® THE TRAININ<x COLLEGES. "The training colleges are the sources of supply for the school teachers of the future, and there exists at the moment an excellent opportunity of establishing the code in these institu-: tiohsi," said Mr. Vaney. "If, you can do this you' will have in a very few years a supply of teachers in'your primary, and ultimately your secondary, schools who do understand the code, are interested in it, and can and will impart their knowledge to the pupils of the schools. ■

"I would seriously suggest," concluded Mr. Vaney, "that the council should.' consider, setting aside a sufficient sum of money to enable a selected: coach to be appointed to each of-the four.-training colleges next season, the coaching ,to consist of, say, sixteen lessons, or classes, made up of eight indoor and eight on the playing Qeldi These cotild be alternated, the indoor to consist of training in charging, tackling, trapping, heading, and position' of play; and the field lessons utilised td practically apply and improve the indoor training."