ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3598, 2 April 1924, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

THE GAME IN MANAWATU. annual report. • The third annual report of the Manawatu Football Association, to be presented at the annual meeting shortly, states, inter alia, that the committee desires to congratulate the body upon another successful season, and the growing popularity of the game in the district. In the two grades played last year the entries received resulted in thirteen teams participating in the Saturday games, this being two teams in excess of those received' for 1922. In the senior division, Dawber’s Club won the charniponship cup, and St. Andrew’s won the Dawber Knockout cup medals, whilst in the boys’ division the Rangers’ Club was successful in winning both the champion* ship, and the knock-out competitions, also the Radford medals.

There were only two senior representative matches played by. the Associating during the season, namely, against Wellington at Palmerston North and against Auckland, at Auckland, for the Brown Shield. The former game was lost 3 goals to one, and the latter by C goals to one. In reference to this fixture, it was a difficult matter for players to make the trip, but nevertheless the visitors put Tin a good game against Now Zealand’s premier province.

The junior division had also had a very successful season, and the thanks of the Association wore duo to the very energetic committee who handled the competitions.

During the. season the management committee waited upon the headmasters of the local schools with reference to starting a schools competition, In every case the committee received a very good reception, but was unsuccessful in actually getting activities started. Nevertheless, an appreciable number of boys of each school showed a willingness to learn the game, and did arrange a few scratch games amongst themselves. Possibly the incoming management committee would bo able to make an early start to form a schools competition.

The .question of playing areas was becoming an increasing anxiety to the committee, and the matter of finding increased accommodation would have to ho seriously faced hy the incoming committee. During the season, the committee decided that 50 per cent, of collections taken during season should he placed in reserve towards purchase of ground This was only a small, beginning, but possibly It. could bo materially added to from time to time by various methods.

The committee also approached the Borough Council for a dressing shed at North Street Park, and the Council had generously placed aside £IOO for the purpose. The committee recommended that the Council should again be approached, with a view to securing the planting of a hedge on the ground on the. street side, also to see what can be done in connection with erecting a small stand. The financial position of the Association was not very satisfactory, but every care had been taken to keep down expenses. The committee desired to place on record its emphatic protest against the Auckland Association’s treatment in failing to forward a balance sheet immediately after the Brown Shield match. The committee noted with pleasure the endeavours of the N.Z.F.A. to bring to the Dominion one or more overseas teams.

The thanks of the Association are due to members of the Referees' Association who controlled the games; to Mr Crouch for financially assisting the team to travel to Auckland and those who assistted in many ways; to the Wellington Football Association which was always willing to send over teams without asking for any financial assistance; and to the N.Z.F.A. THE CHINESE TOURi

The secretary of the Manawatu Football Association has received a circular letter from, the N.Z.F.A., in which it is stated that Dr. Gray, of Shanghai, is prepared to send a team of Chinese University players to tour New Zealand, the team to leave China about June 15. To ensure the tour the necessary finance must be provided, and it. would therefore be necessary for the Manawatu Association to guarantee the sum of £loo.' The tour, the estimated cost of which had been placed at £4350. would bo run on similar lines to the Australian visit of 1922.

The communication will come up for consideration shortly, and the question of Manawatu’s guarantee decided. Tlie secretary is inclined to the opinion that the Manawatu Association's decision will be in favour of the tour, and that it is quite probable that a match between Manawatu and the visitors will eventuate.