ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22708, 22 October 1935, Page 18

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES The various trophies won during the season Just concluded were presented at a function held by the Otago Football Association last night in the Y.M.C.A. The president, Mr E. J. Anderson, occupied the chair. The chairman of the Management Committee, Mr A. Sharp, referred to the fact that the standard of play this season had been on a par with the past seven seasons. The association was indebted to the Mayor and the City Council for meeting them in the matter of ground rents, an action which would considerably help the game along in Dunedin. The Mayor said the City Council had only a limited sum available each year for unauthorised expenditure, and all cases were dealt with on their merits.— In granting the association a rebate they had fully appreciated the difficulty of its position. The president stated that the code was not as strong as it ought to be and it behoved all clubs next season to strengthen their membership. When in Wellington recently he gathered that the ideas of the New Zealand Council to foster the game coincided with those of the local association and that was to have good coaches to bring along the young players. He was satisfied that a game which, could draw its thousands in the Old Country could be played in New Zealand side by side with Rugby, as there was ample room for both codes. He instanced the fine work that had been accomplished amongst the High School teams, which, he said, was a credit to the coaches and senior players of the past. The Management Committee had had exceptionally few cases of misbehaviour before it, and he congratulated the players on their high standard of sportsmanship. Speaking of the finances, Mr Anderson said these had given concern to the committee this year, and it was only proper to say that some of the clubs had not “ stepped up ” as they should have done, and secretaries should see to it that fees were not left outstanding to the end of the season. In conclusion, he stated that the council in Wellington was negotiating for an overseas visit in the 1937 season and other negotiations were also in train. “ Soccer ” in the Old Country was flourishing and it would be a splendid thing for the game if a visit from the Queen’s Park Club could be arranged. Mr E. R. Grace extended congratulations to the clubs which had won the cups and also to the other clubs which had made the various competitions interesting throughout the year. He counselled the clubs to take the field next year determined to place the game on a better footing. The following cups were presented by the president: — First Division. —Fletcher Cup and Knock-out Cup, Maori Hill; Chinese Cup, Maori Hill and Mosgiel. Second Division.—-Northern. Third Division. —Northern. _ Fourth Division. —Maori Hill A.

Fifth Division-High School 11. Sixth Division. —Technical High School