RUGBY CLUBS ON THE ALERT WITH REQUESTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23217, 31 March 1950, Page 6

RUGBY CLUBS ON THE ALERT WITH REQUESTS

Task For Committee Recommendations for the incoming management committee of the P.B. Rugby Union came forward in large numbers at the annual meeting of the union last night at _ the Bon Accord rooms, indicating the intense interest of club and sub-unions in the administration of the union’s affairs and the welfare of players generally.

Club’s supported a recommendation that the season open on April -2 for all grades.

There was a lengthy discussion on players’ insurance, support being given to a suggestion that the scheme be investigated and the £1 weekly extended from a six-week period to 20 weeks. Cases were quoted where players had suffered last season through long absences from employment. An investigation was promised.

The importance of Barry Park to the future of Rugby was stressed and the committee was charged with the task of ascertaining if the Gisborne Borough Council would consider giving the union a tenure to assure its continued use and to justify certain improvements, such as dressing accommodation and other conveniences.

Concession To Flayers

In reply to a suggestion that players should not be asked to pay for admission to the grounds for representative fixtures and that an extra charge should be made on the public to offset any discrepancy the president, Mr. M. H. Beuth, said: "I sympathise with both suggestions on sentiment, but you cannot run a union on sentiment.” He said Gisborne was probably the only union in New Zealand which gave a concession to players on such occasions. They paid 1/-, while the public was charged 2/-. Possibly, the committee would be revising the charges in any case, he said.

The payment of only £l/1/- by season-ticket holders who .then had preferential booking on the stand for representative fixtures was said to be inadequate. A higher charge was suggested.

Sub-Unions And Gisborne Competition The question of bringing sub-unions into the Gisborne competition, a subject declined by the country last season, was again pressed. Four clubs, expressed their willingness to pay their own expenses into the country when their turns came to assist the country players in return. However, Old Boys said they would prefer it if the matter could be settled before the draw was announced. The chairman of the Ngatapa subunion, Mr. M. Scragg, giving his personal views, said such a course would be impracticable from the point of view of his sub-union because of the long distances involved. He made a counter suggestion that the union appoint a roving selector to visit the country centres, remain on the country circuit and select a country team to meet a Gisborne team. The representative side then could be chosen from those 30 men.

Delegates urged the union to again approach the sub-unions with the proposal in an endeavour to ensure the best representative side for the season. Efforts were requested in view of changing tactics, to secure information on coaching methods and, possibly, arrange for a refresher course for coaches.

It was recommended that each club should be allocated three Oval tickets for the use of executive officers. Marking Of Fields

A sample standard for marking fields was produced and it was suggested that it be used to replace the present iron standards, because of the dangers associated with the use of soft iron rods. Mr. Beuth said the subject had had consideration throughout New Zealand and the general conclusion was that the iron standard was the best, provided it was properly fixed in the ground. An incident recalled at the meeting had been caused, he said, because the standard was not pushed well into the ground. It had been pushed out and a following player had suffered injury to his foot. Had the standard been firm in the ground it would have just bent over.