FOOTBALL.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13659, 30 August 1916, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

ATHLETIC CLUB AND THE SUB-UNION. APPEAL AGAINST SI'SPEXSIOX DISMISSED.

, The committee, of Hie Otago Rugby football L'nion made Ihe following derision at its meeting on Monday night in' the matter of the appeal lodged on behalf of the Athletic Football Club (Oamarii) agaiust its suspension by the North Otago Sub-l'nioii:— This is an appeal by the Athletic Club (Oatnaru) against the decision of the North Otago Sub-L'iiion in .suspending the dub for refusing: to supply a I list, of players and their'ages when requested to do so by the sub-union.

The Athletic Club,' in its appeal, states fhat the local shield competition is played under the by-laws of the local su'b-miiuii ami the Challenge, Shield Rules, The Challenge Shield Rules (rule :i) provides that all senior teams shall be allowed to compete, and the dub points out that no age limit is provided. The club further contends that the by-laws or rules can only be altered at a general meeting of the union, and maintains thai this has not been done,

The sub-union, in its letter of August 11th, advising the O.K.F.L'. Committee that the Athletic. Club hail been suspended, states: "At the annual meetiiig of the sub-union, held on March olst, it was decided that only junior football be played this season,' aiid all iMlliliaktl clubs were -notified bv letter, 'dated April 4th. At the lirst'meeting |Oi tin- committee, held on April 28tli, jit was decided that plavers be limited to those 20 rears of age, ami due notification was sent to all clubs on .May ij»l.'' Rule lIS of the Challenge Shield Hub rends: "That any alterations variations, or amendments of those rules must be made at the annual or a special general, meeting of the union." The O.U.I'M". Committee is of opinion that the resolution carried at the annual llll '«ting varied Kulc Hi, and naturally Hie executive of the sub-union would have to decide the delinition of a junior player.

'l'h'' committee rules that the sub«"io" was eulilled to ask the Athletic '.'lull for a list of players, together with I heir ages, As the club failed In supply sio-li list, Hie executive of the sub-union was justified in .suspending the club "mil such list aas supplied.' The appeal is therefore dismissed.

The committee added to its decision tl"' following clause: The O.R.F.C. Committee regrets that . the Athletic Club should have seen lit |„ iurroWMr.e personalities inly iis appeal, and is of "pinion thai the executive; of the sub union would have been within its rights in refusing t,o scud the appeal on In this c.uiiiiniltee in the'terms in which il was couched.