ASSISTING COUNTRY FOOTBALL CLUBS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 June 1939, Page 5

ASSISTING COUNTRY FOOTBALL CLUBS

PROBLEMS OF SMALLER UNIONS SURVEYS TO BE MADE I United Press Association! WELLINGTON. This Day. The question of giving further assistance to back-block sub-unions was considered by the New Zealand Rugby Council yesterday when Mr G. A. Maddison submitted a survey of country football in Hawkes Bay, and asked for consideration to be given to recommendations for financial support to such areas as Taupo and Wairoa. The Hawkes Bay Union was cornmender by delegates for its promptness in compiling the survey. It was pointed out that all unions had been asked [ for similar surveys. It was decided to [ forward the Hawkes Bay survey to ! other unions as a guide, and to request them to make their submissions before Ist August. Th : major problem in the back-block districts was the cost of travelling, c ~id Mr Maddison. In the past this had been overcome by the use of private cars, but such c practice was now prohibited by the Transport Department. Another problem was that of the sub-union which was more or less neglected of its geographic position. He gave as an instance Taupo, which b?d very limited opportunities. Mr Maddison submitted for the council j consideration the question of a grant to the Wairoa Sub-Union in 1 1940 to enable it to make a tour, and a grant to the Taupo Sub-Union for a similar purpose.

Mr Dean said he was fully conversant with the difficulties and was anxiou lo see assistance given to overcome (hem but it would be necessary to con;ic’"r the question on a national basis. Mr Maddison said that if any other unions had similar problems, they had his deep sympathy, and he would be prepared to give full support to a scheme which could overcome them. He understood that tlje profits from the Springboks’ tour, which amounted to about £IO,OOO. were to be devoled to encouraging country football. Mr J. Prendeville pointed out that the season would nearly be over by the time all surveys were in unless unions were instructed to make haste. Several delegates drew attention to similar problems existing in their own districts as in the Hawkes Bay survey. If the surveys were thorough, il woul.l be possible to crystallise them and evolve a scheme to place country football on a better basis, said Mr Maddison. D was decided lo refer the question o * a grant to the Hawkes Bay Union for the benefit of the Taupo Sub-Union to H : executive of the N.Z.R.U.. with power to act.