HOCKEY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22429, 27 May 1936, Page 22

HOCKEY SEASON

DISAPPOINTING PLAY TEAMS FOR VARIOUS TOURS COUNTRY WEEK ARRANGEMENTS Tho hockov in th* Auckland Association's third series of games on Saturday, was disappointing. It was anticipated that several of tho games would be one-sided, but it was also expected that tho game between Somervillo and St. Luke's would prove tho brightest exhibition seen this season. The match was very ragged and lacked the fast forward movements usually associated with the meeting of these two old rivals.

As a result of its defeat Somorville is now in fourth place with championship points. Grammar, St. Luke's and Papatoetoe have each secured three wins, while University has registered a win, a loss and a draw. Mount Eden, Y.M.C.A. and Training College have not yet secured a point.

With the King's Birthday falling this year on Juno 23 there will probably be some alteration in tho date of Country Week. This tournament is usually held in the last week of . June, hut, as most of the sub-associations organise competitions of thoir own on the King's Birthday, there is little doubt that the tournament will be postponed. In view of this the Auckland Association is arranging for three senior teams to tour to various parts of the province. It is thought that by including tho King's Birthday in the itinerary of the tours it will facilitate players in securing leave. It is planned that one team should travel to Gisborne and play matches at Whakatane and Tauranga on the return trip. Another side will play at Thames, To Aroha and Morrinsville, while tho third team will go to Dargaville, Whangarei and Warkworth. These arrangements are only tentative and inquiries are being made from the various associations concerned.

PLAYERS' INSURANCE

SCHEME IN ENGLAND

Consideration of some scheme of insurance for hockey players throughout the Dominion is included in tho business of a proposed conference of all associations. It is interesting in this connection to note the comments of Miss Marjorie Pollard in tho Morning Post. "When insurance is talked about the attitude of mind is peculiar," writes Miss Pollard. "It scents accidents, a series of serious accidents. If I were to say that this season there had been 38 accidents, 19 of which have prevented the claimant from following her usual occupation, I might give the impression that hockey was a rough, dangerous game. More than 10,000 of us are insured at a shilling a head and we play every Saturday and sometimes during the week. - "Well, there have been among us those 38 accidents; although the number sounds large, it actually represents one minor accident in every 400 matches played. So hockey, as we play it, is certainly fairly harmless. The majority of accidents, the detail of which I have before me, are caused by the raising of the ball. No rules will stop a ball from rising, especially if the ground is poor, so I think we shall have to put up with this class of accident. The first-class umpire* this season have been very strict indeed on this ball-in-the-air question. No player was hurt in any of the Territorial matches and they are the fastest and keenest games we play. "The other accidents are made up of such things as torn ligaments, torn muscles and slipped cartilages. When put in a long list they are apt to become depressingly impressive, but when the number of players is considered, what a great relief it is to find the game so guiltless of all the bad names sometimes given to it. The insurance scheme, which many criticised, is a proven success. I feel now that more clubs and associations wil' insist that their players become in-,, sured, and put the small cost incurred —one shilling—on to the subscription. That could become automatic and cause no trouble."