SOCCER CONTROL

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12423, 17 April 1926, Page 9

SOCCER CONTROL

ANNUAL REPORT OF N.Z.F.A. PROSPECTS OF SCOTTISH VISIT CONCERNED AT SUSPENSIONS Tho annual report of the New Zealand Football Association records progress both in the number of players and the higher standard of play reached, due to overseas visits, to the influx of English and Scotch players, and to the increasing interest created by the various competitions. Tho number of teams affiliated with the various local associations was 602, including 115 schools. The principal were;—Auckland, 113 (20); Canterbury, 55 (16): Manawatu, 18 (8); Otago, 62 (12); South Auckland, 27 (16); Wellington, 143 (29); Westland, 13 (9). The figures in parentheses aro the school teams. The council was satisfied that until assbeiations owned their own grounds, the game cannot progress as it should. It congratulated the Auckland associa- j tioii on the opening of Blandford Park, and on the extensive improvements that had been made during the year. English Park, Christchurch, had been further' improved, and now accommodates some 12,000 spectators, with seating accommodation for 8000. It was hoped that both the Wellington and Otago associations would at an early date be placed in as secure positions as Were Auckland and Christchurch. FINANCE" The association wan now in n stronger financial position than hithetto, duo to the result of the art union run in conjunction with the Otago Rugby League. The sum of £1944 had been invested in sound securities; and was to remain a fund for the financing and completion of overseas tours. OVERSEAS TOURS Inquiries were set on foot in South Africa,’ Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and\ Uruguay (the winning country in the last Olympic games). ' From correspondence received from the South African -Football Association it appeared" reasonably certain thatMhe Springboks would visit New Zealand this year, but a special meeting of the South African Association had decided that the tour was premature. Advice had been received that'Canada cannot send a team in 1926, but would endeavour to send one in 1927. No replies had yet. been ■, received from Ireland and Uruguay, hut the Scottish Football Association was considering a tour for 1927. Recently the council had the good fortune to meet a prominent Scottish Soccer enthusiast who was visiting New Zealand with the British -bowling team —:Mr Livingstone, president of the Bathgate United Football Club. Mr Livingstone had agreed to use his endeavours to send or bring out during the 1927 season a team of first-class Scottish players on terms that would make it possible for the Dominion to entertain - \ 1

such a visit. Mr Livingstone had been given authority to act for us with the Scottish Football Association and with ' Spottish clubs. (The “Times” drew the council’s attention to the presence of Mr Livingstone.) The council felt that an overseas tour every other year was imperative if the game was to progress in line with its advance in other countries. During the year the council made overtures to the Foottoii Association, England, to obtain a tdH of a team of British schoolboys through the Dominion. It also approached the secretary to the Empire Press Union then touring New Zealand, and enlisted his interest in the matter. Credit is due to the president of the Schools’ Association, Mr S. H. Ferguson, for the successful inauguration of the primary schools’ annual tournament’. Every encouragement should be extended to those fostering the game in schools, both primary and secondary, and the ooun’fcil was anxious to second the efforts of local associations in their endeavour to promote the code amongst hoys. To this end the council liaci already ordered a supply' of halls for distribution amongst associations for presentation to school teams. BROWN SHIELD

On August Bth, Auckland met Wellington in the Brown Shield, and were defeated, 6 —l. Mr F. J. Knightly, the referee, in his report, commented on the good spirit and Sportsmanship exhibited by both teams, Wellington brought the Shield sdutll, and met a challenge from South Auckland, winning 3—l. Challenges were also received from Buller, Manawatu, Otago, and Poverty Bay, hut owing to the lateness of, the season these could not he entertaihed. The Peter Dawson Oup was held for competition for teams in the South Island, and had for many years been held by_ Otago. The Chatham Cup competition was now well established, and last season was won by Y.M.C.A. (Wellington), who beat Seacliff, 3—2, in the final. REPLACEMENTS , A remit had been sent in from the Auckland Association in reference to the replacement of injured players, and this would give associations the opportunity of placing on record their views on this important auestion. A recent letter from Australia stated tlfat for the. 1926 seasqn they had arranged for all league find competition games there would be no replacements. In matches with overseas teams, however, they were prepared to leave the question to the captains of teams to arrange before the game. This concession Would not apply to test matches.

The council viewed with much satisfaction the Soccer notes appearing iri leading newspapers from time to time. There was little doubt that the influx of so many British and Scotch immigrants must make for a greater following as they become _ absorbed into' the life of the community, and the Press in opening its columns to full reports of matches and to weekly notes was helping materially in upholding the standard of Britain’s foremost winter sport in this new Britain of the South.

The council has on hand a scheme for acquainting Soccer migrants as they leave the Old Country with the names of the secretaries of the various

associations, thus .bringing them immediately on arrival into contact with those directly interested in the code.

SUSPENSIONS The council viewed with a considerable degree of apprehension the number of cases of suspension (36) referred to it by associations. It was loath to believe that this Was due to a greater degree of ungentlemanly conduct creeping into the game. It desired to assure associations that they would have the full support of the council in meting out adequate punishment to those who violate those laws of the game that refer to misbehaviour on the field of play. The council was determined that as far as it was concerned Association football shall he looked upon as a good training for citizenship as well as a game to be enjoyed. The report will he submitted at the annual meeting on April 26th.