CRICKET COACHING

Evening Star, Issue 21255, 9 November 1932, Page 1

CRICKET COACHING

PROTEST BY ALBION CLUB TONE OF LETTER RESENTED The question of coaching in the north end was again the subject of discussion at last night’s meeting of the General Committee of the Otago Cricket Association, a letter on the subject being received from the Albion Cricket Club, the tone of which produced criticism from several members. There were present the president (Dir J. DI. Fraser) and Dlcssrs F. N. Binuey, A. Dlartin, E. H. Ferguson, J. Dunning, J. A. Robson, J. H. Don Dliller, D. Solomon, and A. IT. Allen. The Secretary of the Albion Club (Dir IT. J. Greenfield) wrote stating that the association’s announcement of October 27 that the Coach Committee had arranged for Dir Badcock to visit the Albion Club on November 21 was particularly amusing, in view of the fact that a programme had been drawn up and approved by the association whereby the coach was to visit the north end two nights a week and the south end two nights a week. Apparently the latter idea seemed to have been abandoned without any trial whatsoever. The convener of the committee had reported that suitable practice wickets were not obtainable at Logan Park. This was not correct, and it appeared that very little effort had been made to get practice wickets in the north end. For instance, the Albion Club’s practice wickets were available on Dlonday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, while on Dlonday night, when tho club did not hold a practice, the match wicket on the main ground, which had recently been acquired by the Albion Club for practice, was also available. Without interfering with tho Albion Club whatsoever, coaching practice could he held at Logan Park if tho committee were in earnest. Ho asked what was wrong in using any of the other match wickets at Logan Park in the same manner as the main ground wicket was being used by tho Albion Club. With regard to the coach’s proposed visit to the Albion Club on November 21, he stated that this was a Dlonday night, which his club had always held a free night from cricket. Diem hers of his club were anxious to assist the work of the Coaching Committee and the association in every way possible to make the best use of the coach, hut if tho present unsatisfactory arrangements continued he was afraid that most of that interest would he lost)

The Secretary said that a copy of the letter had been sent to the Coaching Committee. Mr Martin said that the letter was most unsatisfactory. It was a contradictory letter. The Coaching Committee was decidedly in earnest, but it got a report that no wickets were available o" the North C-.-mnd or .at '«jgan Park, and thought that the best use could be made of the coach by sending him round the clubs. There seemed to be a certain feeling in the matter, and certain men who should help them in regard to coaching seemed to bo against them. There was a bad spirit somewhere. He thought that the Albion Club’s letter was a very wrong one to send to anybody. Why did not the Albion Chib instruct its delegates on the association to speak up? They had never said anything. Mr Binney: What is the position regarding coaching in the north end? It’s a “ washout,” isn’t it? Mr Ferguson said that the position was that they could not practise there' because Mr Badcock wanted nets all round tho wicket, and the groundsman would not allow them, allowing only a back net. The groundsman would allow practice only two nights a week on the centre wicket. Mr Binney: But there are six wickets at Logan Park. As for the question of tho back net, he thought that was a trifling affair for which to hold up tho coaching. Mr Robson said tho letter seemed quite uncalled for. He thought the matter could be amicably arranged. Mr Solomon said that there was a suggestion in the letter that the - committee was not in earnest. To his mind that was not the proper way to couch a letter to the association. He did not think the letter should be answered until tho statement was withdrawn suggesting that the committee was not acting in earnest. ... The Chairman said that if it wi»ro possible to do coaching in the north end, then they should. He suggested that representatives from the Grounds Committee, Coaching Committee, and the Albion Club should visit Logan Park to see if tho matter could not be arranged. _ The letter was received, and it was decided to adopt the chairman’s suggestion concerning a conference. NORTH GROUND. The Secretary of the Grange Club (Mr W. J. Rowland) wrote stating that up to the present the City Corporation had not given the North Ground any particular attention in the way of improvement. When a deputation from his club waited on the Reserves Committee some two months ago, it was assured that reasonable work would be done to assist tbe Grange Club to have a serviceable ground. Unfortunately tho City Council had so far done nothing, but the club members had set about things, and their work had made a big improvement, the ground being in a hotter state than some of the wickets and outfields used for senior matches this season. The club wished the co-operation of tho association to assist in securing better arrangements with the City Council in regard to further improvement of tho popular North Ground for cricket. Reporting on behalf of the Grounds Committee, Mr Ferguson said that tho committee was of opinion that tho Nortli Ground was unfit* for senior cricket. The area adjacent to tho wicket at tho south-east end was very rough, ami the south-west side very little bctt<f. In view of the seriousness of this decision to the Grange Club, the committee suggested that the ground be inspected by the executive. Mr Robson said that if the few rough parts of tho ground were fixed by tho council it would bo reasonable to play a few matches there during the season. The area in question at present was not the part on which boys were in the habit of plaving, but that which had been affected by football. Mr Ferguson said that the trouble was that tho Grange Club would not

help itself. It was asked to meet the committee last year, but they would not do so. . ■ The Chairman said that he had played there last Saturday, and there was an excellent wicket. Th-3 letter was received, and it waa resolved that the executive should in* spect the wicket. COUNCIL DELEGATES. Mr J. Bamsden (Christchurch) and Mr A. H. Allen were appointed as the association’s delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council. GENERAL. The Secretary of the Canterbury Cricket Association (Mr E. E. Luttrell)! wrote confirming February 3,4, 6, and 7 as the dates for the Otago-Canterbury Plunket Shield match at Dunedin. The Secretary of the High School Old Boys’ Club wrote stating that as the membership had decreased to fifty-four through several changing to tennis, league, and retirements the club found it impossible to place a third - grade team in the field, and desired to withdraw from that competition.—Referred to Grade Committee. The Secretary of the Port Chalmers Club (Mr L. 1L Wilson) wrote drawing attention to the lateness of visiting teams in starting matches set down for Port Chalmers. He directed attention to the Grade Committee’s rules that all matches should start at 2.—The letter was referred to the Grade Committee for report. The Secretary of the Albion Club' wrote stating that he had been instructed to approach the association with a view to obtaining a screen for use in matches on the-main ground on. Logan Park. Last season umpires and players alike complained about the difficulty in sighting the ball because of the dark green background. His club had experimented with canvas screens a few seasons ago, but they were a failure, and on account of shortage of funds the club had since been unable to even consider the erection of something more substantial.—The letter was received, and the secretary was instructed to get an estimate of the cost of two screens, but the opinion expressed by members was that the matter was one for clubs, 'and that the association could not undertake such expense.