WARTIME RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 3

WARTIME RUGBY

QUESTION OF CONTINUANCE UNION'S EFFORTS TO CARRY ON The question of war-time Rugby and the continuance of competition football was briefly discussed at last night’s meeting of the Management Committee of the Otago Rugby Football Union, and the view generally expressed was that the union will make every effort to carry on, it being agreed that it was a matter for the incoming committee to meet what difficulties presented themselves as they arose. It was agreed, however, that representative matches were not advisable other than the Southland fixtures. Mr D. M. Spedding introduced the subject by stating that the question of what football should be played during the season would be a matter for the incoming committee. Personally, he thought they should endeavour to carry on. The younger players would want their sport, which would keep them fit until their services were called upon. He did not think any extensive tour should be undertaken, but he thought they might have the home-and-home matches with Southland. The president (Mr D. C, Jolly) agreed with Mr Spedding that every effort should be made to carry on football. He thought they should have their senior competition. There were footballers who might not be able to go to the war for various reasons, and the younger players should be provided with football to keep them fit. Mr C, G. Gibbons said that it had been suggested to him that matches might be arranged as was done between clubs in England, and that there should bo no fag competition. If players were leaving for the war from time to time during the season the rules should be elastic enough to permit a club drawing on players from other clubs. He did not think any representative game should be considered other than the Southland game. Mr Spedding; Personally I think we should have a properly controlled competition. Mr W. Pearson said that if it were found necessary during the season for clubs to amalgamate they could do so. Mr Spedding said that in two months’ time the position might _ have altered very considerably—conscription might be in.

Mr V. G. Cavanagh said every effort should bo nu.de to carry on their football. So far as the conduct of the lower grades was concerned, these would be guided by age.

Mr Spedding said that even if conscription were introduced the players would not all go at once, and it was the duty of the union to see that they were fit when they were called upon. M- A. H. Cameron said that the incoming committee would be faced with difficulties, and the rules would have

to he elastic. The discussion closed after the chair, man stated that the matter would b<» discussed at the annual meeting, and that the arranging of the competitions would he a matter for the incoming committee to meet as the. position arose.