ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 28 April 1928, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

THE GAME IN NEW ZEALAND. ENCOURAGING THE CODE. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, April 27. r ', e annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association was held at Wellington to-day. Mr. A. Varney reviewed the annual report, and referred to the' increase from 530 to 558 representing about 7000 players, men and boys, playing “soccer.” He urged the necessity of connecting links between primary and .secondary schools football and secondary schools to senior. Although the association had had a lean year, it was not discouraged, for the game had undoubtedly benefited hy the Canaidan tour. The loss might be regarded as foundation work which would bear fruit in the future. The association must keep its eyes on the 1932- Olympic Games with a view to sending a New Zealand team. The balance-sheet showed a loss on the season of £2136. The report and bal-ance-sheet were adopted. It was decided to make no change in the running of the Chatham Cup competition.

Mr. Hyder suggested a levy of I s on seniors. 6d on intermediate and 3d on junior players with a view to raising funds. ~ He also suggested that the King’s Birthday he earmarked for a North v. South Island game, the committee' to undertake the expense and to take the profit. _ These' were referred to the committee for consideration.

It was 1 decided to ask every association to set aside a day, putting on, a good match, the net proceeds to he handed over to-the'New Zealand committee.

The committee- was also directed to prepare a scheme and submit it to the association for the purpose of .sending a New Zealand schoolboys’ team to Australia.

A conference in regard to the Football Association trophy recommended that the challenge system he brought in, the home association to pay the travelling association second-class railway fares and accommodation. Any profit or loss should be taken or borne by the home association. If the- holders decide to travel to an association to play the challenge match then separate arrangements should be made. It was decided that the Canterbury Association should play Auckland in the first match .to decide the- holders of the trophy, the match to take place in Auckland or Wellington. In the event of its being played in Wellington, each association _ would pay own expenses and divide the profit or loss equally. The matter was referred to the competitions committee to bring before the major associations.