SOCCER FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1928, Page 2

SOCCER FOOTBALL

(By “Pistol.”)

The Westland Association has to be congratulated for the display by their representative team at Westport last Saturday. The Peter Dawson Cup is now the property of the Westland As sociation for the year <1928, and it is to be ihoped that next year we will have challenges from Otago and Canterbury lor this Cup. The Westland selectors have to be complimented on the stand they took, as regards the players not turning out at the Sast trial match, and I trust that if these trial games are continued in future that the selectors will stand or fall by the players who turn out in the trial games. My personal opinion in regard to these games has been in past notes, therefore I do not need to go into detail, but if the selectors think there should be a trial game, I sav let them have it.

The schoolboys’ Soccer tournament has finished for another year. Soccer among the schoolboys on the Coast is steadily reaching a high standard. Last year the West Coast boys never won a. match. This year they were only two points less than the winners. The next tournament will be held in Otago, and at this period I would like to give a bit of advice. These boys need a few good coaches, and as there are a few on the Coast I would like to see them hop their frames out to encourage the boys. SOME MISCONCEPTIONS: That every player who happens to lose his form at all, has been drinking heavily. That no Scottish player, however clever he might be, is capable of a hard shot or a long pass. That all visiting players over 12 stone are dirty.

That “Scotty Robertson” does not make a first-class manager of a rep. team. For an answer just ask all the boys who travelled to Westport last week.

That one must never- expect to see any sort of good football in a “local Derby. ” That in every case’where a shot from a home player hit the upright or the cross-bar and came back into play that the ball must have inevitably been at least §ix inches over the goal-line. That all referees are possessed of a virulent grudge against the home team.

Now I want to write more particularly to tihe referees who to-day enjoy the confidence of the Management Committee, for it is up to them to show their appreciation and do their best to retain it. Every referee must be fit and do all. that is necessary to keep fit throughout the season.' He should make all arrangements with the nearest club to do a bit of training once per week. Remember, success is in your hands. You will make mistakes, but it is your business to try to avoid them, s Don’t be conceited, and think you will make the public and players acclaim you as a great referee. If you are an old hand at the game your job should be easier each year if you will strive to do your best. If you are a new referee, I may as well tell you that many may be prejudiced against you. They have' never been or heard about you, therefore you cannot be any good. You must show them that by accuracy of decision and smartness of control that you have come to stay. It will be an uphill fight for you, but you can win through. I need not tell you the triumphs of victory are sweet ■ that the critic amongst the spectators swears that refereeing gets worse. Don’t believe it. Start with plenty of confidence, have faith in yourself, and, yea or nay, force them to change their mind about you. Make sure that you interpret the laws of the game with intelligence and common sense, and, above all, don’t worry over mistakes. Try to avoid them, but if they do happen try to keep smiling. Another illustration I would like to give on this subject before I close is as follows : Perhaps it is as well that a referee should walk circumspectly and mind his own business. In accepting the hospitality of a club which sometimes happens, he has at once all manner of insinuations cast on his conduct. It is not, however, to his ; own good. He must be careful not to encourage it. To receive favours often indicates that favours may be asked in return, and a referee has no favours to give. In his honesty and fearlessness he may give offence, and it is a hard thing to offend your friend. In the end, t(he friendship which is most valued and lasting is that which is won by courage and honesty. a referee’s first aim should be to make friends with his linesmen. Good feeling and good fellowship between the home and visiting linesmen is sure to be helpful in the proper conduct of the game Don’t try to put a linesman ?n his place by methods that will hurt his feelings. Let him feel tihat his place is to assist you so that you may make the best success of your job. The referee must avoid making a mess of things and the best formation is willingness to co-operate. Now, I could say more on this most important subject, but I leave the above for readers to read between the lines and to take the “wheat’’ from the “chaff” with this idea in view to help the referee as much as possible ; also not to be out only for tlhe benefit of their own club, but for the betterment of Soccer on the Coast i’n general. Always remember the old proverb, “Unity is strength.

SCHOOL SOCCER. During the recent tournament held in Greymouth, the delegates of the various South Island Associations held their annual meeting. The President, Mr 11. R. Barkett. occupied the chair and there were also present, Messrs A. G. Williams (Sec.). J. G. Parry, L. Bunt, .1. G. Watt (Canterbury), W. Wallace, and N. Anderson (Otago), and Mr T. Crankshaw. President of the W.C.F.A. The President expressed the pleasure it gave West Coasters to conduct the tournament this year and congratulated the visiting teams on the high standard of play maintained. Mr T. Crankshaw also extended a welcome to the visitors.

Considerable discussion took place as to the advisability of adding a bantam division to next year’s tournament, and eventually it was decided to allow each province to nominate one senior team (under present rules) and one bantam team (Gst. 71bs. or under, goalie any weight). Next year Dunedin will conduct the tournament and every effort is to be made to get the other Associations (South Canterbury, Nelson, and Marlborough) to enter teams. The matter of electing a President and Secretary-

Treasurer was left in the hands of the Dunedin delegates. Before the meeting closed. Mr J. G. Parry, on behalf of the visiting delegates, returned thanks for the wonderful time all had had. Details for bjlletting the boys and for the conduct of the tournament, had been well-nigh perfect, and the Coast Centre deserved the greatest credit for their forethought and work. Those from other centres would go home with the

happiest recollections of the West Coast, its people, its boys, and its . scenery.