Manawatu Soccer Association Report

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5609, 25 March 1931, Page 12

Manawatu Soccer Association Report

The annual report of tlio Manawatu Football Association reads as follow: “The senioi league championship was competed for by six teams, Athletic winning with 24 points and St. Andrew’s being runner-up with 22. m the senior knock-out Athletic, St. Andrews and Flock House entered, the last named subsequently withdrawing, and St. Andrew’s won over Athletic. “The junior league championship (fifth division) was won by Central Scouts with 18 points and To Awe Awe Scouts next with 17 points. The Te Awe Awe Scout team vanquished an other hopes to the Dick trophy in tnu junior knock-out. In the primary division the boys displayed as great enthusiasm as in past years, the standard of footbail being good. The competition rcultod in a win for College Street Sehpol which also retained the Young Shield in the knock-out competition.

“Chinese Cup: This year there was a little improvement in senior teamtaking over and coaching teams in tne lower grades, Athletic again being to the fore and annexing the cup. Thcic is no doubt about it—the boys must Pc coached and cared for by the senioi clubs, and it is hoped that a inaikea improvement in this respect will pcshown during the coming season. Chatham Cup: St. Andrew’s were the only entries from this district journeying to Wanganui to meet Kempthornc Prossers, St. Andrew’s being defeated by 4 goals to 2. “Representative results were: Manawatu 5 v. Wellington 2; Manawatu 6 v. Wanganui 1. Through an unfortunate misunderstanding, the proposed match with Taranaki fell through. “Winter Show game: As a curtainraiser to the Rugby match —Te Auto ", P.N. High School —Athletic and Flock House”being the contestants. The former won 2—l. Our thanks arc due to the following gentlemen who earned out the uneviabiC duties as referees: Messrs F. W .Ivov, J. S. Jcnkinson, V. Childs, G. E. Pollock, H. W. Johnson, A Marsdcn, J. H. Dick and Rev. C. S. Matthews. In the lower grades: Messrs E. Kempson, H. Facer, T. Crowe, ana C. Hands. Another successful Easter tournament was conducted by the St. Andrew’s Club, there being several well-known Wellington Clubs among the entrants. < 1 Primary School tournament: Inc annual Webster Shield tournament between Auckland, Wellington, Waikato and Manawatu was held in Palmerston North. The tournament was a great success, due mainly to the wonderful response shown by local enthusiasts with regards to the billeting . Our sincere thanks are due to all those wnu helped in all ways to make the tournament a success. We have also to thann tho tournament committeo on their handling of such an extremely difficult ■position. “Secondary schools: A team from this district journeyed to Wellington, and although completely outclassed by their bigger and more scientific opponents, 'they performed very creditably indeed, with the result they were extremely popular with the Wellington spectators. It was decided that t-ho tournament next year is to be held in Auckland, and it. is our earnest desire to see a team from Manawatu represented at that tournament. . “Brown Shield: It was tho intention of this Association to challenge for the above shield, but as the nnancial position was very unsatisfactory, there was no alternative other than to drop such intention. An attempt was made to introduce the code into the Feilding schools. No replies were forthcoming from the “headmasters of. the various schools, but it was unofficially stated that they (the headmasters) had no objection to tho code being established'in their schools. This Association was to provide coaches and balls, and it is earnestly hoped that this will be carried forward very seriously indeed within the coming season. “The position as disclosed by the balance sheet shows the debt has been reduced by £l6 3s Sd. The gate receipts were very poor, and we taltc this opportunity to thank all those who kindly gave donations. It is expected that, the forthcoming season will be a better one and wc therefore urge all players and patrons alike to help us in this respect to the greatest of their ability. The thanks of the committee are‘due to all those who have given assistance during the past season in billetting visiting teams and arranging transport for the local teams. Also all those who assisted in refereeing.”