BASKETBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23201, 27 May 1937, Page 5

BASKETBALL

By Attack

Contributions are requested for this column from all those interested in basketball. All contributions, addressed to "Attack," care of the Otago Daily Times Office, must reach this office not later than Tuesday of each week. FIXTURES June 9.—King's Birthday Handicap Tournament. All teams wishing to enter in the King's Birthday Handicap Tournament are asked to forward their entries to the secretary, Miss E. Buchler, 4 Oban street, Roslvn, as soon as possible. The change in the weather last Saturday caused great inconvenience both to officials and players alike. If the change had occurred before noon the regular announcement* could have been made. NEW ZEALAND TEAM Information received from the Australian Basketball Association advised that it was not possible, to arrange a visit from the New Zealand Association this season, but it was hoped that it would eventuate next year. Australia had suffered from the fact that different rules had been played in the various States, and the uniform rules of the last few years had been of'great advantage. The seven-a-side game was played, and States were reluctant to open up the question as to the nine-a-side game again. Especially "was this so when Australia was already in touch with England, whose rules were very similar. It was suggested that perhaps New Zealand would assist Australia in an effort to obtain uniform rules for the Empire, if not international ones. In view of this suggestion, the executive of the New Zealand body circularised all associations and asked for an expression of opinion as to whether it was considered advisable to proceed with the suggested New Zealand tour, which was to have taken place if the team did not travel to Australia. On one side was the value of such a tour for publicity purposes, and on the other the important question as to whether New Zealand desired to play its own rules or wished to fall into line with the rest of the Empire. Evidently all associations agreed to the cancelling of the New Zealand tour, as the New Zealand executive has notified its respective members that the arrangements will not be proceeded with. The itinerary had been approved and players had been asked to secure leave between June 1 and July 16. A visit to Australia holds mure attraction to players than a tour of thennative land, even although the visit takes place at a much later date. Unfortunately, the postponed date will debar a number from gaining their New Zealand colours. This will affect two of the Otago representatives. Misses Evelyn Roseveare and Gwen Thompson, who, in all probability, will not be taking the field next season. Miss Ethel Howard, who was a very interested spectator at the games two weeks ago, is now residing in Wellington, and all hope that she will be a member of the 1937 Wellington team. The fourth Otago member of the New Zealand team is Miss Elva Sinclair, whose present play is still of a brilliant nature, so that there is every possibility of her inclusion in the next New Zealand team. The invitation to a New Zealand team extended by the All-Australian Association, will take effect in May of next year, as the association holds all its big fixtures and gala weeks in May and June. This means that all associations will have to arrange for the extra finance before the present season closes, as the New Zealand season does not open till after Easter. Most followers of the game will undoubtedly feel that the cancelling of the New Zealand tour is a wise move. At the commencement of the year, the local association protested against its taking place, on the grounds that the publicity gained would not be very much greater than that gained from the yearly tournament, and that the cost of the whole tour to the New Zealand Association would be greater than could be justified by the benefits accruing The extra expenses in sending players to and from Wellington, which would be incurred by affiliated associations, was also worthy of consideration in view of the heavy ti-avel-ling expenses which will be entailed in having representation at the 1937 New Zealand tournament which is to be held at Auckland. The Southland Association felt that the expense was by no means justified, and that all aspects of the situation had not been sufficiently considered at the last council meeting. BY-LAWS The attention of all Dlayers is directed towards the following bylaws: — QUALIFICATIONS (a) No player shall, without the permission of the Management Committee, take part in any match unless she has resided in or around the city of Dunedin for at least 14 days before the match, and can satisfy the committee that she intends to reside in the district for the season. (b) All players must be registered as members of a club and can play for no other club. No unregistered player shall take part in any match, ilnquests for registration must be forwarded to the secretary at least two days before the registered player is entitled to play.) (c) No player, having played three matches in A Grade, shall play in a lower grade in the season unless the committee gives consent. MATCH REGULATIONS (a> Each club shall, upon affiliation j (in accordance with the constitution). | register the colours and costume to i be worn by its team, which shall not. therefore, be worn by any other club; and all players must wear complete registered dress when playing in any game. (b) No jewellery of any description shall be worn during play. (c) A team of nine players taking the field shall not be altered except in the case of accident; a team of | fewer than nine may be made up by the addition of eligible members of its own club as opportunity occurs. (d) A team unable to keep Us engagement must notify the secretary of the association and the captain of the opposing team nut later than 10

a.m. on the clay of the match. (Failure to comply with this rule may entail disqualification of the team for one or more playing Saturdays.) (e) No club affiliated with this association shall play any match, other than those arranged by the association, without the permission of the Management Committee. (f) A team must field all its players present, irrespective of the number of players the opposing side can field. (g) In the event of an adverse change of weather when matches have not been declared off. teams must appear at the appointed ground and time: the referee, in consultation with the captains concerned, shall decide whether or not the game shall be played.