BETTER STANDARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 48, Issue 2885, 27 March 1939, Page 1

BETTER STANDARD

PLAYERS’ ENTHUSIASM MERITS OF NEW SYSTEM INCREASED GATE RECEIPTS LIVELY DEBATES ANTICIPATED Many advantages to outweigh the handicaps under which the major union and its sub-muons are labouring are claimed for the “ Taranaki system ” which, incidentally, has been adopted with marked success in other parts of the country. Principal on. the list is the increase in the standard of rugby played. With more players offering for senior teams in sub-union football than there are vacancies, competition must grow for places in the teams. In order to qualify for places in a fifteen a player must have ability, must be keen and must train. Inducements For Players The great weakness under the existing system with each sub-union running its own small competition, with perhaps only three teams, is that with a shortage of players, club secretaries are forced to fill their teams with mediocre players and even to offer inducements such as free gear and transport.

Such a system must breed lack of enthusiasm and a general slackness in play which reflects in the sub-union and major union representative teams. Financial Improvement Those are the brief points concerning- standard of play. Another factor enters into consideration and that is finance. Unions and clubs cannot exist without public support to swell the gate-takings and it has been noted with alarm during- the past few seasons that public patronage is steadily waning. Consequent upon this, gate receipts are down and unions are “hard up.” No-one can blame members of the public for absenting themselves from mediocre or poor exhibitions of football any more than they can be held culpable for not attending a notoriously poor picture programme. Taking Paeroa as an example it can be demonstrated that in recent years three teams have been competing in the senior competition. These require 45 players at the very least and yet there are not 45 players of senior standard available. Conse-

quently, the club secretaries have to scout round to fill the vacancies and often a poor junior just off the field from his own match, is roped in to play again.

It takes very few such instances as these to dishearten a whole team and where the club fifteens are ’ lacking in enthusiasm, how can the subunions and major union representatives improve their standard of play ? Travelling Expenses The argument raised against the tc Taranaki system” (a brief description of the proposal for Thames Valley is published on page 5) is that travelling expenses are heavy. To that, protagonists of the scheme counter with the reply that gate receipts increase to outweigh that expenditure. Another point alleged against the system is that it destroys the club spirit. Under the revised style of play there is no necessity for clubs to lose their identities but, judging from past examples, it is declared that the club spirit has been more prominent in its absence than in its existence! Te Aroha’s Approval The Te Aroha sub-union last week discussed the proposed move and, although its members did not have much data to go upon, it finally instructed its delegates to support the new scheme.

The attitude of the Paeroa subunion will be debated on Thursday evening when it,is expected that a record attendance of the public and of footballers will be present to hear the pros and cons of this controversial subject discussed at length.