LEAGUE FOOTBALL HIGHER PAY SOUGHT FOR PLAYERS IN TRIAL MATCHES

Grey River Argus, 12 March 1947, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL HIGHER PAY SOUGHT FOR PLAYERS IN TRIAL MATCHES

A remit that the Coast Rugby League apply to the New Zealand Rugby League for a substantial increase in the amount paid playeitaking part in matches under the control of the Council of the League, to compensate for loss of time from their work, was adopted at the annual meeting of the League last night. Mr B. F. Connors presided, also present being members of the management committee, and delegates from the Marist, Runanga, Kohinoor, Blackball, Ngahere, Hokitika, and Brunner clubs.

The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, Hon. J. O Brien, president, Mr B. F. Connors; deputy chairman, Mr W. Meates, vice-presi-denents, Messrs R. J. Harrington, J. Kidd; secretary, Mr T. F. McKenzie; Board of Control, Messrs J. Kidd, J. Neilson, B. Ramsay; Schoolboy Control Boaijd, Rev. Bro. Hubert, Messrs T. Merriman, B. Rathbun, N. Messenger, T. Coles, C. Higson; custodian, Mr W. Hopkins. After considerable discussion in committee, it was resolved that 33 1-3 per cent, of the nett gate takings be set aside and paid monthly to affiliated clubs on a points system to be approved by the executive committee, this system to ensure that all clubs receive a share of the takings in p>iportion to the grade and number of their teams.

A remit from the Blackball Club that all clubs accept the decisions of the Fixtures Committee as final was adopted unanimously. NEW COMPETITION SYSTEM

Speaking to a remit sponsored by the Marist Club, Mr Meates outlined a plan dividing the season into three periods, each of .veven weeks, and having all fixtures for the season drawn up by April S. The first competition would commence on April 13, and end on May 3 25; the second to commence on June 2 and last until July 20; and the final competition to commence on August 3 and terminate on September 14. The plan provided for a free day 3 on which representative matches could be played at the end of each competition. The championship would be awarded to the team with the highest aggregate of points throughout the three competitions. All games would be played on the dates set, thus allowing clubs to make arrangements for friendly 3 and visiting games. In the event of postponements, matches would be abandoned, and the competition would definitely end on a set date. “I am'-not saying that the scheme is perfect’’, said Mr Meates, “but it is a basis for us to obtain something better than we have had in the past. Our duty is to provide football, and we could do it this way”. After some discussion, the remit was adopted and referred to the Fixtures Committee to deal with as it saw fit. The secretary’s honorarium was fixed at £45 per annum. A remit by the Blackball Club, that all friendly' matches be arranged directly through the clubs, and not through the Centre, was adopted . The letter requested advice on matters pertaining to the selection committees for the trials for the English tour. It was 1 resolved that the West Coast League recommend that two selectors from each Island, and a member of the New Zealand League Council comprise the selection committee.

There was some discussion on the question of the possibility of top-flight Rugby Union players turning to the League code in the hope of being selected for the tour. “The trip should be open only to bona fide League players, not to those who just want to see what they can get out of it”, said Mr Kidd. “No matter how good players of the other code may be, they’ll be pretty hard pressed before they’ll be able to win a place”, commented Mr Meates.

Referring to the forthcoming trials, it was resolved on the motion of the president, that efforts .be made for the West Coast to play a match against Auckland before the trials, and that steps be taken to have the West Coast team arrive near Auckland, at least a week before the match, and have ample opportunity to train for the game. He als*o recommended that a match with teams split up into probables v. possibles sides be held the following day.

The R.unanga Club was granted permission to use Wingham Park as its home ground for senior matches. At the request of a deputation from Cobden, it was decided that the League call and support a meeting in the League Rooms* to-morrow night for the purpose of the formation of a Cobden club. It was intimated that should a club be formed, it was probable that it would be able to field both senior and junior teams during the coming season ENGLISH TOUR A letter from the League’s representative on the New Zealand Council (Mr Swift) stated that the New Zealand League had accepted an offer by the French Rugby League to extend the tour of England to France.