SOCCER GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23094, 20 July 1938, Page 22

SOCCER GAME

SCHOOLBOYS' TOUR COUNCIL SHOWS INITIATIVE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE In spite of -the criticism emanating from certain quarters at the New Zealand Council's decision to proinoto a secondary schools' tour of Australia, the move should give general satisfaction. it i;i definitely a constructive scheme, inasmuch that the future oi the code, which, judging by the type of football provided in recent years and tho scarcity of public support, is not too bright, is greatly dependent on the talent available from the secondary schools. The game is gradually securing a firmer hold in the secondary schools of tho Dominion and everything possible should bo done to consolidate the position.

The contention of a southern association that the money to be utilised in connection with tho schools' tour could be better spent in furthering representative fixtures among the major associations will receive a measure of support, but it is an opinion that is open to criticiMii. Granting that tho interprovincial fixture list is a lean one and that tho method of deciding English trophy games in the past has been unsatisfactory, it is questionable whether an extended representative programme would effect any great improvement at tho moment. The truth is that New yjealand does not possess many players in senior ranks who would profit by additional representative experience. The most skilful players taking part in New Zealand Soccer are, with a few exceptions, past their prime, and it is to tho younger school that educational efforts will have to be turned. The Soccer code has been drifting along aimlessly for many years now, with little, if any, ' advancement in standard, and there is not likely to be any marked improvement until a sound foundation is laid among the younger talent. The game must be made attractive both to players and spectators, and the New Zealand Council is to be congratulated on having made a stop in the right direction by offering an incentive to schoolboy footballers. It must be admitted, however, that the New Zealand Council has been tarcly in making its intentions known to the various associations, which are faced by a tremendous amount of work at short notice. If the tour is to bo a success both from playing and educational points of view, every effort must be made to secure the right type of player. The Now Zealand Council has established a precedent in Dominion football in sending a schoolboys' team on a tour overseas, and the enthusiasm aroused should result in keen competition for places in the side. Although no advice as to the method of selection has been notified as yet, the various associations will probably be required to assist in arranging provincial and interisland trials. As the team is due to leave during the middle of August, tho authorities will have to move rapidly.