OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2558, 25 March 1903, Page 27

OTAGO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

The following is the report of the Otago Football Association for the season 1902, to be submitted to the annual meeting of delegates on Ist April: — Your committee, in presenting the thirteenth annual report of the association, feel that they can with confidence congratulate the clubs on the completion of a season that has been in every respect gratifying, and may, in fact, bo regarded as the most successful in the history of the association, and augurs well for the future success of the Socker game. New Clubs. — Two new clubs applied for affiliation at the annual meeting — viz., Hanover Street Rangers and Unity Clubs, both playing, as juniors. An innovation in the institution of a schools competition was introduced during the s year, 15 schools entering the contest. Premiership.— This- competition . was again, won by the Roslyn 1/ which" team played. 10 matches, won 8, lost 0, drew 2, scoring 18 points. The-Northern I were runners-up, with 11 points. These .matches were keenly contested, although the Roslyn won by a substantial margin. Charity Banner.— The final for the banner was played off as usual between the two highest teams in the senior premiership competition — on this occasion between Roslyn and Northern. Carisbrook Ground was placed at the disposal of the O.F.A. free of charge by the O.R.F.U. for the match. The game was very keenly contested throughout, and the result in doubt until the whistle sounded " time," the result being: Roslyn 3 goals, Northern 2 goals; the Roslyn thu3 securing the right to have their club's name inscribed on the banner for the sixth time. Junior Cup. — In the junior ranks the competition was exceedingly keen, and the result was in doubt until ,the very last match of the round, and only 7 points separated the six highest teams. Owing to the large number of entries for this competition it was decided that the premiers-hip be decided on the first round. The cup fell to Wakari 11, which team out \>f 10 matches played won nine and lost one, scoring 18 points; Sawyers' Bay A being runners-up with 16 points. Schools Competition. — For the first time in the annals ~of the association your committee, can report that. a competition for schoolboys _ was inaugurated and "successful!! "carriea through. Fifteen teams commenced the, sea^ son, 'but one of these"diop'ped-out;afteT playing' six matches. The cup and medals presented by the associatiotf^ere won "by 'the Kaikorai ,&chool, this team playing" 14. matches; won 12, 'lost 1, drew -1, scoring* 2s points'. The Normal; v | Caversham, and Green .Island Schools -were' ! equal' for second, -place-, 'with. 24 points. As j evidencing the even nature, of the. play, it may ! be remarked that only 1 point separated the first four teams". Five-a-side Tournament. — Twenty-two teams entered for this popular tournament, and «x- ! eeedingly good form was shown by both senior j aud junior players. The senior competition I was won by Roslyn No. 1 team", and the junior by V. 7 akari No. 4; Northern No. 1 and Unity 2io. 1 being the respective runners-up. Interprovincial Match.— The Wellington F.A, sent a team to Dunedin to try conclusions with an Otago eleven. The match was played at Carisbrook on September G, before a fair nuni-' ber of spectators, your representatives being ' victorious by three goals to one. The following players comprised the Otago team: — Goal, R. Murray; full backs, A. Dobson and T. Ashton ; half backs— W. Kilgour, D. M'Millan, and G. Middlemass ; forwards— R. Irvine, A. Fergusson, G. M'Millan (captain), H. G. Robertson, and S. N. Brown. Of these, R. Murray, W. Kilgour, R. Irvine, H. G. Robertson, and A. Fergusson represented their province for tha first time, and were presented with caps. Wednesday Football. — An attempt was made to inaugurate a competition for^ players having their weekly half-holiday on Wednesday. Only two teams were formed, but with these as ft basis it is anticipated that at least four teams will take the field each week during the coming season. Thn-d Grade.— lt is the intention of your committee to cater for players of lighter build by instituting a third grade contest. This will give players possessing the necessary skill, but lacking weight, and boys leaving school an opportunity of exhibiting their prowes3. H.M. Warships.— A very enjoyable game was played between a picked Dunedin team and a .team from H.M.S. Ringarooma captained by C.P.O. Collier, which resulted in a win for tho', local team by 3 goals to 2. The man-of-wais-' men were entertained at tea, and an enjoyable evening was spent at the Coffee Palace. Lecture.— Your committee arranged withthe Rev. J. R. Ward (Chicago) to deliver a lecture in the Garrison Hall on July 22, a substantial sum being netted. On November 14 a general meeting of Association footballers was held at the Stuart Street Hall, there being about 250 schoolboys present, besides senior and junior players. The president (Mt S. S.. Myers) occupied the chair, and distributed the trophies and caps won during the year. A programme of music.-songs, etc., was gone through, and refreshments dispensed. This unique function was the first of its kind held in the colony, and was a great success. A friendly match was played at Christchurch at Easter between a Wellington team and an Otago eleven, victory resting with the southerners. It is intended to again meet a Wellington team in Christchurch next Easter, with a view to popularising the game in that city. Referees' Club.— The thanks of spectators and players alike are due to tho gentlemen forming this club, and they deserve great credit for tho efficient manner in which they discharged their arduous duties. It speaks very highly for their capability of controlling the play and players that during the past season only one player was reported for misconduct — that being for a disparaging remark about a referee. Not one case of rough play was reported. Finance.— ln this department the association is in a flourishing condition. After an exceptionally heavy season in the matter of expediture, we find that the credit balance is the largest the association has ever had. The sum of £9 13s Gd was n-etted on the final tie for the Charity Banner, this amount being handed over to local charities. Thanks.— Your committee wish to remind you that your heartiest thanks are due to the president (Mr Myers) for the use of his room for committee meetings; to Mr G. S. Mackie, delegate to the N.Z.F.A. ; to the president, Mr Moncneff, and members of committee, who donated medals for competition ; to the press, for reports of the proceedings of the asiccia-

tion; and last, but not lease, to the Referees* Club, for their successful efforts to further tha interests and promote the popularity of thai game in Otago, and especially for the keen interest that members of the club took in the schoola competition. It is with regret that your; committee 'have to report the resignation from -the treasurership of Mr G. S. M'Nair, owing to his removalfrom Dunedin; but would like to place oni record their high appreciation of his services in that office. -" In conclusion, your committee wish to urge upon players the necessity of doing everything possible to popularise the Association game by improving the standard of play, and trust that tho coming season will be even more prosperous and successful than the one just pas* (1902).