SOCCER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 July 1924, Page 11

SOCCER.

The progress of the Chinese team is watched with very keen interest, especially in view of the match at Hawera. They are evidently a fine, athletic-look-ing team and play good soeqer. THE G AME IN THE SCHOOLS. The question of playing Association football in the schools, with special reference to the secondary schools, has exercised the minds of the council of the New Zealand Football Association and the local association, and both bodies have taken exception to the manner in which Association football is regarded, by the headmasters iin practically the majority of schools, where Association football is not permitted. Representations have met with a cold refusal, and it is stated that the playing of Association football hag been forbidden. In spite of the disability under which the boys labour, several unofficial school teams have been formed, the.pupils playing in the ordinary competitions. The matter was considered at the last, meeting of the council of the New Zealand Football Association, when various correspondence was received from the local associations on the subject. Extracts from some of the letters are as fellow: From Nelson: “We have endeavoured to get the Soccer game introduced into the schools, but, unfortunately, without success. The masters of the schools won’t allow The game to be played. We are convinced that some of the boys at the school would prefer to play Soccer if allowed to do so.” Gisborne writes: “We cannot hope for direct assistance from school teachers. This association quite recently approached the school committees, and in a majority of cases received promises of support. These assurances, however, aero followed by a letter from the Headmasters’ Association stating that we had no right to approach the committees, as the teachers were in charge of the sport. "We have, however, gone ahead with satisfactory results. The bovs of one school were told thevc would ho a. hall available and nlthoneh it was most unfavourable weather, l/» or 17 wore present, and played under coaches supplied bv the association. A private school here already has a team.” From "Wancanui: “Although the seven schools in Wanganui each lias a. team, we have not been able to make a definite competition, because of the decided opposition of the teachers and headmasters.” Brighter news.conies from another centre, whore a schoolmaster, who is a Soccer referee, intends coaching young plavors

The Now Zealand Council hn c derided to approach tho Minister of Education on the subject The council took exception to the attitude of the schoolmasters, and decided to obtain fnrt.hcr definite particulars in regard to the matter.