SOCCER IN MANAWATU

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6857, 12 March 1929, Page 8

SOCCER IN MANAWATU

Annual Meeting of Assn.

AUSTRALIANS’ TOUR NOT WANTED

The annual meeting of the Manawatu Football association was held last night, Mr. T. E. Lees presiding. An apology for absence was received from the Mayor (Mr. A. J. Graham) president Delegates were present from St. An arews, Athletic, R.S.A. and Flock House clubs.

i The annual report and balance sheet were adopted. The balance sheet revealed a bank overdraft of £77 5s 10d, which was £22 10s better than at the end of the previous year. The chairman stated that the position was that the association was better off by the amount of tjie donations received, which meant that it had paid its way during the season. The chairman also reported that a promise had been made that further improvements to the North street grounds would be made this year by the Borough council. Election of Officers.

Patron. Mr. P G. Mildon; president, Mr. A. J. Graham; vice-presidents, Messrs H. Crouch, H. W. Johnston, E. Kcmpson. T. R. Lees, W R. Douglas, T. B. Wornall, J. S. Jenkinson, J. B. Cooper; trustees, Messrs W. Allan and E. Kempson; management committee, Messrs J. C. Young, T. R. Lees, J. S. Jenkinson, J. Marshall, H. Facer; secretary Mr. F. J. A. Fox; treasurer, Mr. J. H. Dick; delegate to New Zealand Council, Mr H. J. Simmonds; auditor, Mr. F. W. Coombs. N.Z. Association Wants Funds.

The meeting considered a request from the New Zealand Football association that efforts be made to help relieve the deficit of £3OO in the funds of the N.Z.F.A. It was pointed out that a players or associations for one year would be necessary, so as to bring *in £3O from major associations and £lO from minor ones. The Manawatu association was requested to give its delegates a definite instruction on either the question of a levy or to submit some other scheme to overcome the present financial position of the council. It was realised that effort would be needed by associates to raise this extra amount and the council appreciated tho fact that it would mean more hard work for some of the enthusiasts. It was a critical time for the game in New Zealand and it was trusted the Manawatu association would send in its quota. Mr. H. J. Simmonds (Wellington), tho association’s delegate on tho council, was present (and reported on a meeting of the New Zealand association whiqh had been held to consider the matter. He said that a suggestion that an annual levy of Is per member be made on clubs, bad been withdrawn. Mr. French (Floek House) suggested that if the Manawatu, association doubled its affiliation fee to tho N.Z F.A., it should bo a very acceptable contribution towards the latter body’s funds and maybe the ,N.Z.F.A: would accept the idea as being applicable to the whole of the Dominion. The meeting adopted the suggestion as a recommendation to the N.Z.F.A. and if accepted by tho parent , body, will mean that the clubs will have to pay to the Manawatu association this year an additional £1 7s Gd. An amendment that special matches should be organised to raise tho extra money required, was lost.

Australian Tour. The N.Z.F.A. forwarded an itinerary for a proposed tour of an Australian team this year and asked for an opinion on the proposition. An estimate of expenses and receipts was fonvarded. Without very much discussion, it was decided not to favour the tour, members holding the opinion that the N.Z. F A should not try to finance another visit until its bank overdraft was reduced. Season’s Prospects. Delegates reported on the prospects for the season. St. Andrews, R.S.A., Athletic and Flock .House will have one senior team each, in the fieM. The question of keeping track of primary school soccer boys who left school last December, was discussed at length. Mr. Crowe suggested that old boys’ teams should be organised from t.ho different schools and attached to the senior clubs. Tho idea was accepted as a good one and loft to the dubs to adopt. , . . . Clubs are to be asked to appoint two delegates to a primary schools committee to assist in junior football. It was decided to recommend to the management committee that if a boys team is sent away from Palmerston North this year, the players bo insured against accident; also that a first aid outfit be secured for use at the North street grounds.