SOCCER

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1932, Page 8

SOCCER

At the annual meeting of the Westland Football Association the Secretary submitted the following report:—

The Management Committee have, during the past season, had twenty-five ordinary meetings and four special meetings. These have always been well attended with members showing a keen interest in all business coming before the meetings. The W.F.A. presented to the various schools in tho district twelve size 4 footballs which .have been appreciated by the school teachers and the boys themselves. Owing to financial conditions it was decided not to send a delegate to the annual conference held in Wellington in April last year. Tho following gentlemen were appointed Vice-Presi-dents: Messrs O. H. Brailsford, A. Glen, T. Crankshaw, J. B. Kent, F. Heslin, D. Douglas, T. Sotheran, A. Storrie, G. Manderson, I. Mossop, W. Wright. Mr H. Renai was appointed to represent Westland in the New Zealand Council for the season. Emms Shield.— A challenge for the Emms Shield was issued to the Buller Football Association to be played at Westport on 3rd June. Tn reply Buller F.A. intimated that it would meet Westland at Granity, but after negotiations the Westland F.A. could not. see its way clear to meet Buller at Granity. Buller and Canterbury issued challenges for the Peter Dawson Cup. Meeting Buller on 20th June, Westland ran out winners by 3 to 1. Meeting Canterbury on Ist August, Westland ran out winners by 3 to 1. Chatham Cup.— This competition caused a tremendous amount of interest in this district, being the first time in our history that teams had been entered. No less than five teams out of the six in our grade competition responded to the invitation of the Westland Football Association. This was most gratifying and fully appreciated by the New Zealand Council, the Westland Football Association and the Soccei supporters of Westland. I believe the most thrilling game ever played in Westland was in the semi-final of this competition when Dobson met Nomads, of Christchurch, on Victoria Park, each side scoring five goals with extra half hours play. We are all disappointed at the result of the match played at Christchurch between these two teams. Nomads were given the match which will go down in history that Nomads won. Referees.— A Referees’ Association was formed during the past season and proved of immense value to the Westland Football Association and relieved them of much anxiety. Com- ' petitions.— Greymouth won the Westland Clip, Dobson won the Heslin Cup after two finals had been played with extra time. The presentation of the various trophies to the winning teams took place in Herb Moore’s Tea Rooms on 10th October when a very happyevening was spent. English Cup.- - Westland is attached to Canterbury for this Cup and no doubt W’hen Canterbury is selecting a future team some Westland players will be included. I wish to sincerely thank all Club secretaries for their help and assistance during the past season; it has been a delight to me to work with them. They have all worked energetically for the good old game of Soccer and hero is my hat off to them. The press deserves our best thanks for its most generous treatment in giving us such splendid reports of not only our local matches, but also of the matches in other parts of the Dominion and from the Homeland. As your Secretary, I felt I should like to hand over the books to a more able man, and whilst at times tho work has been strenuous I have had a vast amount of pleasure in doing it ,and hope I have made many friends. I trust that the Westland Football Association may go from strength to strength until the Soccer code is the dominating winter sport ,on the West Coast. This can only be I achieved by playing the game for the game’s sake and co-operation between tho Management Committee, th? club officials, players, and tho spectators themselves.

The annual report of tho third grade stated:— In presenting the annual report. of the third grade, I wish to say that this, our second season, has been one of outstanding satisfaction. Right throughout the season great enthusiasm was displayed, and the competition was of the keenest. Four entries were received for the Wee Mac Cup, Technical High School, Marist High School, Greymouth, and Rewanui. It was decided that the competition should be a four round one, and the .result was in doubt right to the end of the fourth round, though Technical were the ultimate winners by four points. Technical and Marist failed to meet in the second round, and nt the end of the fourth round Technical had a lead of two points. This made it necessary for the missed fixture to bo fulfilled, and had Marist won a final would have been necessary. After a hard gamp, productive of splendid football, Technical triumphed by 3 to 2. The final table was as follows:—

At the conclusion of the Wee Mac competition a 5-a-side tournament in which .12 teams competed took place at Dunollie. This competition was marred to some extent by the heavy nature of the ground, though some good games were witnessed. Tho tournament, resulted in a win for Rewanui C.. The season concluded with a one-round competition for the Campbell, Cup, the two leading teams to play off. When Marist and Technical met they were separated only by one point, Marist having drawn a game, hut it was decided that this game should decide the winners. This time Marist were successful in defeating Technical by 3 to 1.. During the season a great step forward was made in junior football in that, for the first time in our football history, we entertained a visiting junior rep. team. The day our seniors were successful in staving off the challenge of Canterbury, our first third grade rep. team was successful in defeating a Canterbury fourth grade

team by 6 to 0. In spite of the disastrous weather conditions the boys were to be complimented on the splendid exhibition they. provided. Before closing, I would like to add that every effort should be made in the coming season not only to establish a junior grade and so enable this promising material to gain further experience, but also to commence a fourth grade for boys under 16, to provide material for our future third grade competitions. For a most successful season our thanks are due to the parent body, the W.F.A., to the referees who have officiated for us, to Mr G. Graham who so ably drew up the season’s fixtures, to Mr J. Sharp, donor of the 5-aside medals, and to the Press for the valuable space so readily placed at our disposal. I hope that the coming season may be successful in every way and that continued support may be forthcoming for the Third Grade. Annual report of the Referees ’ Association:— In presenting /this, our first annual report, I wish to state that the formation of this body has been a success in every way. How ever, if the Referees’ Association is to function, and function -well in the future, it is necessary that we should get the support of everyone and that all retiring players should rally to the standard and help to carry on the work so ably begun. If our football is to advance, we must have good referees, and it is for you to provide those referees; it is for you to uphold these gentlemcnt in every possible way. It was a great step forward when a meeting was convened for June 20th, 1931, for the purpose of forming a Referees’ Association. This meeting was well supported, the following gentlemen attending:— Messrs J. Sharp, E. Airey, W. Robertson, G. Graham, A- Hamill,

D. Barnes, J. Smith, S. Hewison, R. Muir, R. Hunt, and F. M. Smyth. It was unanimously decided that a Referees’ Association should be formed, and the following officers were elected: President: Mr S. Hewison; Secretary and Treasurer: Mr F. M. Smyth. The following gentlemen became affiliated members of the Association:— Messrs D. Barnes, A. Hamill, S. Hewison, C. Hogg, R. Muir, J. Smith, G. Graham, J. Hardie, R. Hunt and F. M. Smyth. Throughout the season the meetings were well attended and several interesting discussions took place. During the season nine of our members sat for the written section of their examination for N.Z. Referees’ Badges, and the results compared more than favourably with anywhere else in Now Zealand, the following being successful: — Messrs J. Smith, A. Hamill, S. Hewison, C. Hogg, D. Barnes and F. M. Smyth. Two of these, J. Smith and A. Hamill have since succeeded in passing their field tests, and so are N.Z. badge holders. I wish to place on record our appreciation of the efforts of Messrs R. Hunt and S. Hewison to get an Association such as this formed. Every credit is due to these gentlemen. Our thanks arc also due to the W.F.A. and to the Press. I hope that the coming season may be one of further advances and unqualified success.

GREYMOUTH CLUB. The third annual meeting of the Greymouth Soccer Club was held on Sunday, when there was a fair attendance. Mr J. B. Paton presided. The President’s annual report, which is as follows, was read and adopted.— We can congratulate ourselves on having had a successful season. The players in the first and third divisions were a credit to the Club, a keen interest in the games being maintained throughout. We arc the proud winners of the Westland Cup with our first eleven. Our third graders made a trip to Christchurch and put. up a creditable performance in drawing with rhe Canterbury third grade leading team, and being narrowly defeated by the Canterbury representatives. Thanks are due to the members of the Management Committee, more especially to Mr Restieaux, our capable secretary, also the coaches who gave their time and experience to the players. There is every prospect of the Club having another successful season; most of last year’s players and several new ones arc signing up.

The balance sheet, showing a credit balance, was adopted as satisfactory.

The election of officers resulted as follows:— Patron, Mr J. Sharp (reelected) ; President, Mr J. B. Paton (reelected); Vice-Presidents: Messrs A. A. Hamill, E. Airey, R. Storey. J. MacLeod, F. Bayley, S. Shannon, A Glen, E. Mayell and Hamilton; Secretary and Treasurer: Mr C. Restieaux (re-elected); Committee, Messrs F. M. Smyth, G. Howes, A. Crawford, M. Hall, F. Bayley, G. MacDonald, President and Secretary; Selection Committee: Messrs J. 8.-Paton, A. Crawford and team captain; trainer, Mr A. Crawford; Delegates to W.F.A., Messrs C. Restieaux and M. Hall; New Members: T. Oliss, N. Me- ■ Knight, J. O’Donnell, W. Armstrong, W. Wilson. It was decided to nominate senior, junior and third grade teams. ■Subscriptions were fixed at the same as last year, namely 2/6 for senior, and junior, and 1/- for third grade. The first practice is to take place on April 2nd, 1932.

TAYLORVILLE CLUB. There was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Taylorville Soccer Club. The balance sheet which showed a financial position was read and adopted. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr A. E. Pickering for his work during the past year. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr Gt Dixon, Taylorville; Patron, Mr C. " Senior, Taylorville; Sec.-Treasurer, Mr A. E. Pickering; Auditors, Messrs J. McNeish and Cowan; Vice-Presidents: Messrs G. Smith, Taylorville, H. McCluskie, Wallsend, Kells. Cobden. J. Rodgers, Taylorville, J. Becker, Wallsend, A W. Wilkinson, Wallsend, Mrs Hawkia, Wallsend. The new Taylorville Domain will be officially opened in the near future, and it is expected that the opportunities for practice that the ground will afford will be of great benefit to the

club, who for the past two seasons has had no ground of its own.

COBDEN CLUB. At the annual meeting of the Cobden Soccer Club, the. balance sheet disclosed a small credit balance. The Club expect to place a strong team in the field. It was decided to open the season on April 2. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year. Patron, W. Kells; President, W. Forsyth; Secretary and Treasurer, A. McLean; Vice-presidents, Messrs A. iiWylde, A. H. McKane, J. Mead, O. 11. Brailsford, G. Graham, H. R. Barrett, R. Ramage, W. Brown and Rev. W. A. Beaumont. Committee. Messrs Brailsford, J. McNeill, Mead, W. McNeil 1 senr.f J. Norrie, R. Marley. Selectors, Messrs Brailsford, Forsyth and Norrie.

p W. L. 11. Fr Ag Pt* Technical 12 7 1 4 27 18 IS Marist 12 5 3 4 24 14 u Rewanui 12 5 4 3 21 14 13 Greymouth 12 0 9 3 11 37 3