HOCKEY NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 142, 20 May 1925, Page 9

HOCKEY NOTES.

(By “Half-Back.”)

Local hockeyites have been somewhat unfortunate as regards the weather which upset their programme last week. However, a start with the Wednesday competitions was to be made today and these should continue through out the season. It is now up to all players to get down to business and keep tho game going, if t.he season .is to be a success. The decision of the Manawatu Association to send a men’s team to Christchurch this year, even if it means that the ludies may not go to Dunedin, is u sound one. For several years past return games have been denied tc various towns and unless a start is made to repay some of them, there is a likelihood of Munawatu being overlooked by visiting teams. The ladies have not very much r,o complain of—they have been well looked alter as regards tours —and should now give the r.ien a chance. Last year men’s hockey practically fizzled out and it was only by the introduction of Wednesday games that the code for men was kept alive. The Saturday games were very uncertain for quite a long time, but it is to be hoped that this year will see a difference.

High School has now definitely decided to enter tho field and should with a little encouragement make things lively. There ist one tiling noticeable in connection with school teams —they have the team spirit, which is often lucking in other clubs. This is cue of the greatest of helps to any team as it usually means practice. The sooner school hockey is commenced the better. Last year the game was just getting established when the season ended.. A little voluntary couching by some of the older players would help greatly.

JOTTINGS. It looks as if the holding of an annual provincial tournament will become the permanent form of competition fo • the Hockey Challenge Shield (says a Southern Journal). The success jf last year’s tourney in Christchurch was «o satisfactory that the New Zealand Association has decided to hold a second tourney, which will take place this year in Wellington, it certainly seems the best form of competition, from every point of view. The New Zealand Hockey Associate n apparently is beginning to realise that tiie best way to boost the game is to encourage tours bv overseas teams. Tin* season there will be a tour of New Zea la id by a strong Australian team, ne.c year, in all probability, there will be a tour by an Indian Army team; and the matter of a tour by an English team, perhaps in 1927, will be mentioned to the English Association shortly by a New Zealand enthusiast at present in England.