RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 April 1943, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

COAST UNION MEETING Mr A. A. Adams presided over an I attendance of the following delegates at the annual meeting of the West Coast Rugby Football Union last evening:—Messrs J. Guy, T. Mclntosh, T. O’Donnell, H. McDonnell, J. AV. Rothwell, W. M. Stewart, R. R. King, M. Olsen, F. W. Bailie, and O. McLean (secretary). The annual report and the balancesheet, which showed a loss of £9 15/10, were read and adopted. Referring to various items on the balance-sheet the President expressed appreciation of a donation of £4 4/- from the Technical School. .He said that the school was not required to pay an affiliation fee and the gesture in making the donation was appreciated. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr A. A. Adams (reflected); vice-presidents, Messrs J. Guy, T. Mclntosh, T. P. Ryan (reelected); treasurer, Mr J. Kyle (reelected); secretary, Mr O. McLean (re-elected); management committee, Messrs R. R. King, M. Olsen, F. W. Balllie, A. M. Jameison, T. O’Donnell. H. Clifford; auditor, Mr T. P. Ryan (rc-elected); delegate to the New Zealand Union, Mr A. A. Adams (re-elected). It was decided to elect Mr F. Eggelton (sen.) a life member of the Union, in recognition of his lengthy ■ and Valued services to the Union and .to the game. Members spoke in api prcciation of Mr Eggelton’s work. | It was decided to write to Mr C. | 1 Russell, thanking him for his services I as custodian. I Referring to the shortage of foot-

Referring to the shortage of football linings the President said that 370 dozen linings were to be made available at an early date and that clubs would be able to purchase them through the ordinary trade channels. Permits to secure jerseys coupon free would also be available to clubs and unions by application to the Rationing Controller. He explained, however, that if the jerseys were secured on that basis they would remain the property of the clubs. Players could purchase their own jerseys provided they were prepared to surrender the necessary counons. It had to be remembered also, he said, that even though clubs might secure a permit to get jerseys coupon free there was no guarantee that they would get the jerseys they wanted. All would depend on the stocks available When numbers of teams for the various competitions were being discussed Mr Stewart said he thought there was an opportunity at present for clubs to build up the right tradition among youngsters. He sug-

gested that clubs should consider carefully ways of bringing youngsters into the game. He was thinking.partly of the fourth grade, he said, and he referred to the yeoman service that the Blaketown Club had given m encouraging young players. The President said that the great difficulty facing clubs was that their higher grades were now embracing players who were much younger than was the case before the war with a corresponding drop in the ages of those playing in the third grade, leaving only the very young for the fourth grade. , n Delegates reported that the Cobden, Blaketown and Celtic clubs would not be entering fourth grade teams this season. Mr Olsen suggested that even though the clubs might not be able to field fourth grade teams they might with a little co-operation be able to put two teams out from all the clubs combined. With two fourth grade teams from the Technical School and two other teams they could have a good competition. The club committees could also discuss other problems facing the game and might be able to make some useful suggestions to the Union. After further discussion it was resolved that the clubs be asked to send three or more delegates to a meeting to be held on April 28 to discuss the prospects of fielding fourth grade and fifth grade teams and any other questions in the interests of the game. It was resolved that the management committee meet every Tuesday evening. It was decided that nominations for the various competitions close next Tuesday evening, and that the season be opened on Saturday, May 1.