SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 238, 5 September 1935, Page 4

SCHOOL FOOTBALL

UNITED CLUB’S PROPOSAL. More was heard, at the monthly meeting of the West End School Committee, last evening, of a proposal made at the previous meeting—that the United Rugby Football Club should take the school under its banner in regard ,to Rugby. A letter was received from the secretary of the Kia Toa Rugby Football Club making reference to a letter sent to the club by tho committee. Although the club very much appreciated the committee’s gesture in consulting them it was not felt that the onus of the committee’s acceptance or otherwise of tho United Club’s offer should rest with the Kia Toa Club’s attitude in the matter. However, the opinion of the chib’s committee was that, while there was no objection to the United Club taking the West End School or any other school under its wing, it was not considered that any arrangement which might restrict a schoolboy’s freedom of choice of club would he in the best interest of sport. The Kia Toa Club desired an assurance that any hoy who wished to enroll with a club other than the United Football Chib would be free to do so. The Kia Toa Club had been in existence for over 30 years and there were quite a number of bovs at the various primary schools in the city whose fathers were either • former playing members or present supporters. So particular boys would prefer to play for the Kia Toa Club while they were at school and also after their school days. The chairman moved that it was not commented that he did not think the members of tho committee or the teachers desired to see that all the hoys entering upon a football career should he hound to play for the United Club. It was for the United players to make their own -club so attractive I that they boys would naturally go there.

Mr A. Penketh thought that the committee rould not do better than to allow both clubs to draw members from the school. The chairman moved that it was not the intention of the committee or the masters of the school to influence the hoys to join any particular club, but that the boys would be free to make their own choice; also, that the offer of the United Club be accepted on their proposed conditions. The motion was seconded and carried without dissent.