“SOCCER” GAME

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11784, 21 March 1924, Page 8

“SOCCER” GAME

MEETING N.Z.F.A. COUNCIL CHINESE LEAVE SHANGHAI JUNE 15th. GETTING MATTERS IN TRIM. A meeting of tho New Zealand Football Association Council voa held last night, Mr H. G. Mayer presiding’. Tho other members present were Messrs W. Allison, H. Yeoman. A. Bolton, P. Rose, 11. J. Back, W. J. Ferkins, R. Y. "Walls, H. I. Graves, B. L. Salmon, F. Sandotfc. J. Inch, C. F. Ward. •’TIN TACKS” AND CHINESE TEAM. Iv-eforring to the cablegram from Dr. Gray (already published) stating that he is prepared to send the Chinese team to New Zealand provided its leaving Shanghai on June 15th would be agreeable to tho association, tho chairman said that it was row necessary to get down to tintncks with regard to providing the necessary finance for the* tour. They should therefore got into touch with the various club© and/ ask them what they could do in tho matter. They would have to get better accommodation for the Chinese team than some that was, unfortunately, provided for the Australian team in some of the districts—Dunedin, for instance.

The secretary suggested that the question of financing the tour should be referred to till© finance committee to report to the next meeting of the council. A member.suggested that as it was a Y.M.C.A. team tho men might he put up In the Y.M.C A/s in the different centres. The secretary: It is a question of accommodation. They may not have the necessary room available. On. the motion of the chairman it was decidied tlhat the question of finance required for the tour be left to the finance committee (which meets to-night), and that a reply he sent to Dr. Gray, Shanghai. acknowledging the receipt of his sahlo and saying that tho date for leaving Shanghai was agreeable to the association, and it would he very glad to welcome the toom. It was decided to hold the annual meeting on April 9th. ENGLISH TEAM'S VISIT. Mr A. E. Gibbs (representative of the council in tho Oldl Country) wrote in a letter to tho secretary: "As you say Campbell's performances in Australia savoured of trie miraculous. Is he a colonial-born, or did he learn the game at Home here? As you now know the final decision with regard to the visit of tho English team, I need, not enlarge upon this subject further, but I take this opportunity at cnoe to say that the F.A. would not brook any interference with the appointment of any manager they might ceem fit to select to accompany tlie team when it loaves here; and it would bo quite impossible for me to mako any suggestion that any individual selected! iby inem would not be a persona grata to you and the rest of our friends overseas. It is splendid to read of the great progress you are making in New Zealand, t-nd I have little doubt that ac the result of tho tours already projected you will, in the course of the next two years, find yourselves in the possession of considerable capital, which should! enable you to encourage the game still further."

SWIFTSJJLUB ANNUAL REPORT. WHO IS SEEKING THE LIMELIGHT? That tho club, despite discouraging circurasauoes, has remained in existnee for over 30 years, surely is a cause for gratification, and speaks well for the enthusiasm displayed during that long poriod—from the days when Sooccr was in its infancy to the present when the standard is supposed to (have reached: a high level In view of this, it seems 6omcovhst strange that the various teams do not occupy higher positions in the table, so states the annual report of the Swifts Association Football Club. It proceeds to sav that last season was not a success viewed from the playing aspect. "The object of any sport is the exercise it provides, and, judged on that eooro, it matters not what club the individual belongs to; but there is in all of us that so-called parochialism which creates the club spirit. Unfortunately, tho trend of opinion scorns to lose sight of that club spirit, andl there is springing up tho idea that "Where the limelight is there shall Ihe also.” Just as success brings success, so non-success create lack of enthusiasm and indifference. Non-success has been tho lot of the club for some years now, and the romody lies with you.” Four teams carried the colours last season, and, while none reached the top of the tables, the membere held together and, despite tha monotony of defeat, "carried on.*' The senior team was inconsistent, ns, although it defeated several of the leading teams, it mysteriously failed against the apparently weaker ones.

Perihopo lack of training was accountable for the slight success gained. Gymnasiums were scarce, and most owners found it difficult to allow- their own teams sufficient training. Tho question of training would bo considered at tho annual meeting. There was a credit balance of «820 on the year’s working, and it was proposedto enter four teams for the local competitions during tho coming seasoij. Thanks are accorded Messrs Sanders, Mayor, O'Brien and Walshaw for donating medals.