HOCKEY NOTES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19378, 16 July 1937, Page 8

HOCKEY NOTES

THE SELECTORS' TASK VARIANCE OF OPINIONS TO-MORROWS TRIAL GAMES By "Sticks" Seldom before has so much interest been aroused over representative selections for Poverty Bay hockey teams as there has been this year. The selectors have given no indications yet as to what their final teams will be. In the writer's opinion most of those in the Possibles should be chosen, but it is understood that the selectors have other views and that some of those chosen as reserves for to-morrow are to be given serious consideration in the final reckoning. Views held this year by those on the side line vary more widely than they have ever done. In fact, critics are* unanimous over not more than four of the men and only three of the ladies for the final representative elevens. The men over whom complete unanimity exists are Clem Scholium, I. Douglas, R. Watchman and G. Slade,' and the ladies in the same category are Mrs. Nicol and Misses J. Allen and M. Tuhoe. The teams will be built round these players. Before proceeding with the final choice, the selectors wish first to ascertain who will be available to travel, for it would spoil much valuable training and team work to have one or more members taking part in the practices if they could not go on tour. The selectors, therefore, wish to know as soon as possible whether any player selected for the trials will not be available for representative fixtures outside the district.

Which Style of Play? The next point the selectors should consider is what style of play they wish the representatives to adopt, whether, for instance, it should be the fast game of long passing and quick following up or short passing and dribbling. Both styles of play are done successfully in Gisborne, Defence and Caledonian being two notableexamples of the different types in the men's section.

Once it is decided which of these styles should be most successful with the material available, the matter ol selection should be easier. Judging by the names already announced, the present selectors seem to prfer the short passing. Control of the ball is more difficult when travelling at high speed than at a slow pace. Possibly the selectors may not be guided altogether by to-morrow's form, but will keep in mind consistency during the season. To-morrow's trials will be a very valuable guide, however, because they will indicate which players will tend to combine with others in the teams.

It is hoped that the selectors will announce their teams as soon after the trial games as possible, or at least a number of players for training so that proper team work can be secured before the first representative match. The trial games have been held earlier this year, and this advantage should be followed up by getting the teams into training immediately. The Wellington ladies' selector, Miss M. Wilkins, is busy, and a trial match has been arranged for Saturday of next week. "Critic," in the Dominion, comments as follows: "One trial game seems insufficient for a selector to cover the task with satisfaction. If is to be hoped that Saturday week's trial game will be the forerunner of another, as there is some exceptionally good talent in Wellington, which makes the selector's lot the more difficult.

Setback to Funds Another matter which should be pushed ahead as quickly as possibleis that of raising funds. The association received a setback to the surprise packet proposal when it could not secure a date this month for the sale of packets in the street, but it is understood that this refusal will not dampen the enthusiasm with which this project has been taken up; in fact, the supporters of the scheme should be spurred to further efforts in order that success will be assured. A suggestion has been made that the association should open a shop in Gladstone road for the sale of surprise packets, but empty shops in the main street are difficult to secure. If one is available, the mere opening of a shop will not be a solution of the difficulty, for there must be something more than a sale of packets to entice the public inside.

Sales on the hockey grounds also have been mentioned, but the association would do well to consider whether it would be wise to try to force packets on casual spectators. The hockey games this year have been well patronised, compared with the position some years ago, and the association must not do anything that will frighten any of the public away. Appeals have been made fairly consistently lately for small donations, and the association should recommend the clubs not to be too persistent, although the display of enthusiasm in the efforts is commendable.

One alternative which might succeed without giving ofTence is by the sale of packets without appealing personally to individuals. These and other matters will be discussed at next Monday's meeting of the management committee and supporters.