BETTER CRICKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 53

BETTER CRICKET.

IMPROVING PLAYING CONDITIONS COACH TO BE SECURED IF - POSSIBLE. At a special meeting of the Otago Cricket Association on Tuesday, attended by Mr C. W. Rattray and Mr C. Todd, as well as the members, a report by the secretary dealing with he advancement of cricket in Otago was presented. The most important decision arrived at was that a resident coach should be engaged, providing the necessary finance could be obtained. Mr L. Joel (president) occupied the chair. SECRETARY’S REPORT. 'The secretary's report stated: “In the first place I feel the association is not sufficiently in touch with the School Cricket Committee and the Boys’ Association, and I would suggest that both these bodies should be more closely associated with us, and that they should advise us in what way we can assist them more. In connection with school cricket could we not get some old players to assist the teachers in coaching the school teams, and the Boys’ Cricket Association? In connection with our club cricket could not some of the old players give, say. two evenings a week to coaching juniors? In football both the junior and senior teams are coached by old senior players, and 1 feel confident that something of this sort, is required in our clubs to-day. I have been told by members of clubs that there is no proper principle of carrying out practice in several of the chibs. My idea is that a practice captain should be appointed who can control the practice and tell certain bowlers to go on to bowl certain batsmen. Bowlers used to be taught to bowl various kinds of balls to the batsmen, for if a player was weak at cutting, bowlers could bowl accurately outside the off stumps, and give the player practice at this stroke. “The question of a coach has been suggested by several citizens, but this is a matter that will require serious discussion, and I would suggest that a meeting of old cricketers and citizens interested in the game should be called to discuss the matter, if it should be thought advisable to obtain a coach, and that a committee be appointed from these men to make the necessary arrangements for financing the scheme. In the event of the appointment ui a coach not being decided upon, I think if, say, 20 of our most promising players were selected for practice, and a few of our best bowlers paid a retaining fee to bowl at those selected for practice—say two nights a week—l think this would tend towards an improvement in our cricket. “It also appears to me that the association could be strengthened by getting some of our citizens who are interested in the game to become members of the committee. The committee could be formed into sub-committees, and a small executive appointed to carry out the various details in connection with the association, and the whole committee to meet, say, once a month to have a monthly meeting and receive reports and suggestions from the various sub-committees.

The question of grounds is another important matter. From investigations 1 have made, the wickets on all the grounds with the exception of Carisbrook will never make cricketers. Whether it is the duty of the council or lhe association to see that proper wickets are prepared for our young cricketers is a matter to be decided by perhaps a conference between the association and the council; in fact, I think a meeting of all the sports bodies should be held to discuss the question

of playing areas and draw up a scheme to place before the council. I feel the council .will be willing to do what it can to assist, but it seems at present that it is not aware of what is really necessary. “In the past the association has always been hampered by lack of funds. If we could strengthen the committee by the addition of a few influential citizens who are

keenly interested in our game, I feel sure we could increase our membership very considerably, and should aim at having an annual revenue of £5OO from this source, in which case we could also probably arrange for giving these members greater privileges than we can at present. I think it probable that an arrangement could ,be entered into with the O.K.F.U. whereby a scheme could be evolved that would enable this suggestion to be carried out.

“It might also be arranged for the various country associations to select a combined country team and play a match against a Dunedin team, so as to give the selectors an opportunity of seeing the best of the country players. “Arrangements might be made to hold a fete at the Gardens or at Carisbrook from which a substantial amount might be raised if a strong committee were appointed and a sufficiently attractive programme arranged. “It is a good business investment for our citizens to assist manly sport as much as possible. fore those associated with the game of cricket should use every effort to secure the support of the public, and thus help to improve the standard of play in Otago. The press could also, I think, boost things more than they do. They appear to me to have the natural Dunedin modesty, and do not boost our teams and players the same as is done in he north.” THE DISCUSSION.

The Chairman said that the report was fairly well bound up in the question of securing a coach. The association, ho said, could take more interest in the Boys’ Association. The matter of finance and whether sufficient public support could be obtained entered largely mto the question of obtaining a coach. lie. did not think the association could undertake such a venture unaided. A Jj-rgc number of those who had taken shares in New Zealand Cricket (Ltd.) might be prepared to. give what return they received towards the expense of obtaining a coach, and he, for one, was prepared to do so. He thought some of the honorary members might take more interest in the- association, but the executive could hardly bo enlarged- Occasionally good cricketers were found -who did not learn on good grounds. Some had learner! to play on what was called “the rocks” However, more interest would be taken in the game and more young men would play if good grounds could be secured. “Th# press has treated us fairly well,” said Mr Joel. ‘They give us a rub up occasionally, but it does no harm.” He emphasised the necessity of securing a coach of good character. He need not be a man at the top of the tree. fie would feci more content, Mr Joel stated, if Otago could win the shield without the aid of a professional. — (“Hear, hear.”) If Auckland had wen without Bowley its victory would have been more creditable. Mr Rattray’s report, on his efforts to secure a coach in England was heard in committee. Mr Rattray stated that he had met with great difficulty, and when he heard that the New Zealanders were to tour England he dropped the matter, know ing that under the circumstances Otago would not be able to afford the heavy expense of securing a coach. He stressed the necessity of a coach devoting time to boys in the primary and secondary schools should one be engaged. .... Mr Rattray moved: ‘That it is the opinion o' this meeting that a coach should be obtained providing the necessary finance is forthcoming.” . . . Mr J Robson contested the idea that a coach was necessary. The only question at present, he said, was that of grounds. If a coach were engaged he would have difficulty in teaching the game on Dunedin grounds. The scheme which some ex-players had of coaching hovs in the Boys’Association was an utter failure because of the condition of the grounds. At present the groundsman at the Oval did his best under heartbreaking condition... If a coach were brought out Otago would not reap the full benefit of the undertaking. . Mr J. J- Clark said the association should endeavour to cultivate the spirit of cricket among the people and among young fellows. The game was growing and growing considerably, and he thought a coach would incourage the spirit, that was needed. The laying out of Logan Park would do much to solve the grounds problem. The first step in the improvement of the game should be the securing of a coach. Mr A. Galland said the boys would never become interested unless they were provided with good wickets. As a rule the ball flew over the boys’ heads. It was a wonder they were not killed. The Secretary (Mr E. S. Wilson) said all sports bodies were up against the same question. He thought a deputation should wait on the City Council. The council evidently did not know what was wanted.

Mr Todd said that if a coach were engaged he should be a 100 per cent, coach. A Citizens’ Committee should be formed to obtain the money necessary to secure a coach. Then the committee could go to the council and demand grounds. He would guarantee £lO a year towards the expenses of obtaining a coach. The motion was carried unanimously. The president and Messrs Martin, Todd, Rattray, Galland, Austin, Torrance, Robson, and Clark were appointed a subcommittee to make arrangements for a public meeting. It was further decided that three representatives of each sports body should be asked to attend a meeting to consider the question of grounds. It was stated that £BOOO of the proceeds of the art union organised to obtain funds for the laying out of Logan Park still remained to be spent, but Mr Robson stated that little could be done at present owing to delay in the removal of the Exhibition buildings. After further discussion, it was decided that the association should consider ‘at its next meeting the question of asking the Schools Committee to elect a representative to the association and to recommend to the executive in office next season that it should consider the question of holding a match annually against a combined country team.