RUGBY PLAYERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 231, 28 August 1935, Page 4

RUGBY PLAYERS

CHANGING OF CLUBS. For some years past certain Rugby players who reside in the two subunions under the control of the Alanawatu Rugby Union—Te Kawau and Oroua—have engaged in their football in the city area, rather than be regular players in the competitions conducted by the sub-unions. This season the Te Kawau Sub-Union, fearing that it would not be possible to conduct a senior competition, requested the admission of the Oroua Downs and Rongotea Clubs to the city senior compe-

tion. This was readily granted by the governing authorities, but the future is not without uncertainty for the sub-union, and some little time ago To Kawau sought the imposition bv the union of a rule to prevent players residing in the country areas from assisting other than sub-union teams. The governing authorities ruled that it was not witliin its powers to impose the restriction, and the matter was referred to the Now Zealand Union, but the reply failed to clear the air, the position being apparently not understood.

A deputation consisting of Messrs A. N. Aloreom, A. Tostevin and J. H. Davidson waited on last night’s meting of the Alanawatu Rugby Union to present the Te Kawau Sub-Union’s attitude in the matter. Air Aloreom, who has occupied the position of chairman of the management committee of the Te Kawau SubUnion, in reviewing the position which had developed and the prospective danger of country players being enticed to participate in the city competition as a result of the higher standard offering, pointed out that as the rules at present stood the sub-union had no control over its own players. The speaker maintained that it was not possible to control any sport without a management committee, but for that management to be without power had made the 'Te Kawau officials feel that they had become inoperative. Overtures had been made by city clubs for the sub-union’s best players to assist them, and it was feared that the future would find the drain upon the sub-union still greater, which would seriously affect the revenue of the subunion. The current season had closed with a deficit of £lO, and it was impossible to carry on under those conditions. It behoved the union to assist the sub-union to its full ability. The sub-union’s area embodied all the Alanawatu county, and there were many young men in the area anxious to play the code. Like the members forming the union, those governing tlie game in the sub-union were devoting their time to the good of the game and it was his hope that both bodies would work amicably together, for there was a fund of young and promising material to be catered for.

A VAGUE REPLY. Air Tostevin read the correspondence which had passed between the subunion, the Alanawatu Union, and the New Zealand Union, adding that without possessing the powers of control over its players tlie sub-union might well cease to operate. The chairman (Air A. Af. Ouglov) agreed that the reply from the New Zealand Union had not covered the point at issue. He explained that ho had also sent forward a covering letter which lie had thought to be perfectly clear, but apparently it had not been so. AVben the question of sub-uuion players leaving their own _ teams to assist city teams had been discussed he had not been in favour of it, but bo had found that the rules did not govern the point. Further, be bad ascertained that it had been the custom for years past for players from the sub-unions to take part in the city competitions. Air Ongley then asked whether the exodus of players had been responsible for the senior competition in the 'Te Kawau Sub-Union breaking down this season.

Air Tostevin explained that it was the future that the management committee was desirous of safeguarding. The chairman: If you play a senior

I competition next season do you fear I that more of your players will come to the city to play? | Air Aloreom: Alodern transport is I playing a big part towards that end, and tlie position will be aggravated in the future. BOUNDARIES SUGGESTED.

Air Tostevin: It is a pity boundaries cannot be introduced to prevent players from going outside the sub-union. The chairman: Would it not 1m a “dog in the manger” attitude? The only power you have not got is to prevent players coming into town. Air Aloreom: There is little honour attached to the position of chairman of - the sub-union meantime. I have resigned, and I merely wish to assist the future management committee. The finances have to be considered and to that end we have to endeavour to retain our best players. The chairman: The same rules apply in the AVanganui Union, for one player, D. Cameron, went into Wanganui from tlie Rangitikei Sub-Union to get tlie benefit of the better class of iootball.

Air K. W. Eglinton: It would be a difficult matter to introduce boundaries, for the Feilding Clubs would be affected considerably. Air H. Bowler: The Feilding Club has freely drawn on the outer areas in the past. The chairman pointed out that for years past there bad only been two or three players involved. Air L. G. Cope remarked that two clubs bad canvassed the Te Kawau Sub-Union this season and probably the same position would arise next year.

Air Davidson pointed out that should certain of tlie Oroua Downs players throw in their lot with the city clubs next season the club would collapse. Air Aloreom considered that the subunion should be at least approached for permission to play outside the subunion. It bad to be remembered that without the finance gained from the senior matches the sub-union could not cater for the lower grades. The chairman: Did not you benefit from the return senior matches this season ?

Air Aforcom: Yes, and we are truly thankful.

The chairman: I had hoped that the sub-union’s senior teams would continue to play in our competition. It certainly made it Letter for us. However, I did think that the sub-union players should have continued with their own teams.

Afr Davidson mentioned that Rongotea would not figure as a senior team next season.

Mr Tostevin expressed the opinion that, provided there were not too many defections from the senior teams, the sub-union would conduct its own competitions next season. The chairman : Then what you ask is for. us to amend our rules to prevent players in the sub-union from playing in the city and vice-versa.

Afr Tostevin: AVithout permission. The chairman: It would mean the amending of our rules and a meeting of all the clubs would have to be called. Air Aloreom: In the case of Feilding, the matter of boundaries would have to be given consideration to enable them to cater.for the player 6 outside the borough.

The discussion here terminated, Air Aloreom thanking the chairman for the hearing accorded the deputation. He assured the meeting that their action had been dominated by their desire to assist the game. Later, the position was further considered, the chairman remarking that so far as the. past was concerned he did not think it had been to the detriment of Te Kawau.

Afr J. R. Hardie: If further players come to town next year it might kill tlie sub-union’s competitions, and the sub-union.

Mr Bowler: If tire rule applied to the Oroua Sub-Union there would be four or five players affected who meantime assist the Feilding Club.

in order to ascertain the position as operating in the Hawke’s Bay and Wanganui Unions, it was decided to secure copies of their rules and to review the position later.