THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21577, 23 August 1933, Page 14

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

ENGLISH TROPHY MATCH FINAL FOR CHATHAM CUP SECONDARY SCHOOLS' TOURNEY Two outstanding events in thi,s season's Soccer football will bo decided next Saturday, and will bo watched with considerable interest by followers of the game throughout the Dominion. Firstly, the Auckland representative team will make a bid against the holders, Otago. on the Caledonian ground in Dunedin, for possession of the inter-provincial trophy presented by the English Football Association. Secondly, the victorious North Island club team, Ponsonby, of Auckland, will play Millerton, the South Island representatives, in the final for tho Chatham Cup. the club premiership competition of the Dominion.

In Dunedin the approaching match with Auckland is being keenly awaited. The Auckland challenge for tho English trophy is recognised by tho Otago Soccer public as the strongest this season, and many enthusiasts in Dunedin are somewhat diffident regarding their team's prosyects. The strength of the Auckland side suffered owing to tho inability of Ponsonby players to make tho journey to Dunedin, but, nevertheless, the chosen combination should givo a fine account of itself. Tho English trophy has been absent from Auckland for long enough, and it should prove a great benefit to the code in Auckland, both from a playing and financial point of view, if the challengers are successful in their quest. Ponsonby and Millerton

The best wishes of all Aucklandors will go with tho Ponßonby team on its trip to Wellington to meet Millerton. The Ponsonby sido has been consistent in its displays this season, due greatly to keenness in training, and the team thoroughly deserves any success which may come its way. Tho Millerton team is reported to bo strong and should be very difficult to dispose of. In spite of the absence of a number of players in tho representative and Ponsonby teams, the iocal senior championship will be proceeded with next Saturday. Although several of the teams will be weakened, the associa/tiou has been forced to continue the championship owing to the number of fixtures yet to be decided this season. The principal game at Blandford Park next Saturday will be between Y.M.C.A. and Thistle, while North Shore and Tramways will provide the early match. A splendid contest should bo witnessed at Blandford Park on Saturday week, when teams representing the Australian and New Zealand Navies will meet in the annual contest for a shield presented by the Auckland Football Association. Matches between the two squadrons have been played in Au s " tralia in tho past, but visit of the Australian warships to New Zealand this year has given the local association tho opportunity of staging the match here. Tho Navy players always give a very attractivo display of tho code, and indications are that the coining match should prove tho outstanding event of tho season. Fostering the Code Tho North Island secondary schools' tournament will be held at Palmerston North this week. A senior and a junior Auckland team will complete, and left Auckland on Monday under tho joint managership of Messrs. W. Martin, G. T. Lee and J. Stewart. A primary schools' tournament under tho control of the Auckland Association will commence to-day. Great efforts aro being made at present to foster tho code among secondary and primary schools, and tho results are giving satisfaction to the various controlling bodies. It is felt by the Dominion Council that there is a distinct need for professional coaches, preferably retired players with English playing experience, but, as conditions are at present, the council does not feel justified in making the necessary financial expenditure; It is recognised that tho future of the codes lies in the schools and everything within means is being done to promote tho Soccer feeling among tho boys.