RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2086, 29 March 1922, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

MEETING OF R.S.A. CLUB. A meeting of the R.S.A. Football Club was held last night, Mr. W. Rutherfui'd presiding over a good attendance of members. It was decided to apply for the use of the training shed, either on Wednesday or Thursday night. It was resolved that the subscription be fixed at 7/G, with an additional 2/- for insurance. The secretary (Mr. Bryant), and Mr. A. Thomas were authorised to consider quotes for the supply of jerseys and purchase the Club’s requirements. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. W. Rutherfurd for his generous offer to donate a gold medal to the club, to be given as the management committee desires. ELECTION OP dFFICERS. The following officers were elected for the' ensuing year: President, Col. Melvill; vice-presidents, Messrs A. H. Hannay, J. Anderson, P. A. McHardy, C. J. Danahey; club captain, Mr. King; management committee, Messrs O’Reilly, J. O’KeeCe, Swainson, and Thomas: delegates to Rugby Union, Messrs O’Reilly and Butcher; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Bryant; coach, Mr. King. It was resolved to leave the matter of electing the captain and vice-captain in the hands of the selection committee. MANAWATU RUGBY UNION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Football Union was held last night, Mr. A. M. Ongley presiding over a large attendance of club representatives. A SUCCESSFUL SEASON. The annual report and balance sheet were read, the balance sheet showing the Union to have a cash credit of £261 2/11, a sum of £3OO on deposit with the Borough Council and £IOO with the New Zealand Union. In moving their adoption, Mr. Ongley congratulated the L T nion on another very successful year, in fact, it had exceeded the previous year, which was recognised as a record one. Financially the season had had most gratifying results. The football provided last year, in the way of outside matches, was much appreciated, not only by the players, but by the football public. It had also been a successful year from the point of view of new clubs, the establishment of a fourth grade competition, and the carrying on of school competitions. CLUB STANDARD LOW.

So far as the standard of club football was concerned, said Mr Ongley, they had not succeeded in getting back to the standard that had been attained some years go. This aspect was one to which the Union would have to give serious consideration. Club football must be improved. It might be that the absence of a gymnasium or training hall was responsible, in a large measure to the low standard of club football: it was recognised that players must have training facilities. The Union was going into the question of establishing a training hall this year. Mr. Ongley expressed the opinion that for a place of this size there wore too many teams to permit of a reasonably good standard of football. So long as teams had to turn out short and scrape long as they did last season the best of football could not be expected. It was wrong that players, who made no effort to improve themselves by means of training and taking a sufficient interest, should be able to turn up at the last minute and get their place on the field. When a gymnasium was established players should be made to qualify for their places by regular attendance at training. The players would have also to display a keener interest in order to graduate to senior teams. With fewer teams the slackers would be eliminated. If the standard did not improve, and a keener interest was not manifested next season, the Union would be forced to consider a reduction in the number of clubs by one or two. The aim of the Union was to promote the best interests of football and ever look to its advancement; it was not its object to ac. crue funds. , ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, Mr. H. F. Gibbons, re-elected: President, Mr. A. M. Ongley, re-elected; Vice-presidents. Messrs A. Hannay and W. Turner (Palmerston North), and Thos Collins (Peilding); secretary, Mr. J. B. Proud, reelected): treasurer, Mr. J. R. Hardie (re-elected); hon. surgeon, Dr. Hunter Will (re-elected): delegate from Referees’ Association, Mr. D. D. Williams (re-elected); Management committee, Messrs C. White, J. Colquhorn. J. Stalker, A. S. Faire, W. Carrauthers, D. Rowlands, and J. Devine. GENERAL. It was decided that nominations of teams close on April 10th. The fixing of the date on which the season is to be opened was left in the hands of the management committee. The affiliation fees, per team, were fixed as follows: Seniors £1 1/-: Juniors 15/-; thirds 10/-; fourths and lower, 5/-. THE FRENCH TOUR. WHY IT WAS ABANDONED. [By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Tuesday, 7 p.ra.) PARIS, March 27. The Australian Px-ess Assooiation claims authoritatively that the reason for the cancellation of the Rugby tour is solely that the absence of the best players would interfere with the success of the French championships, which begin in October, and continue till May. It was thought that a return in September would be possible, but the French Rugby Federation has just learnt from the New Zealand Rugby Union that the earliest date for return was October 15. The Federation therefore decided against the tour. Some of the best judges have been against the tour on the ground that French footballers, though they have made remarkable progress since the war, have not yet reached a sufficiently high standard to meet Australians and New Zealanders, and must have suffered crushing defeat. Others considered the stern series of matches, which the tour would certainly have provided, would have been the finest, if a severe, lesson for French Rugby players. These considerations, how-

ever, did not enter into the Federation’s decision. N.S.W. DELEGATION. TO VISIT THE DOMINION, (Received Tuesday, 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 28. The Rugby League has appointed a delegation to visit ‘New Zealand, with a view to inquiring into the whole question of New Zealand football, and making Anal arrangements for a visit of a Maori team to New South Wales during the coming season. The delegation sails on April 8.