SCHOOL SPORTS

Southland Times, Issue 19522, 23 May 1922, Page 5

SCHOOL SPORTS

COMPETITION FOR TROPHIES CONFERENCE RECOMMENDATION CRITICISED (Special to the Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 22. The recommendation of the Conference of secondary school assistants regarding the return of cups given for competition among secondary schools has been very much criticised by the man in the street on account of its inconsistency in rejecting the Moascar Cup for rugby and (holding on to the Heathcote Williams shield for cricket. Rugby enthusiasts feel very much amused at the tone of the recommendation, especially in view of the fact that the Moascar Cup was won in rugby competition by New Zealand soldiers on active service, and is not associated in any way with an individual or firm. Mr S. F. Wilson, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, told a Star reporter to-day that he had not considered the matter in all its bearings, but he had always felt that the secondary schools should be allowed to work out their own destiny knowing quite well that they would always have to come back to the governing body of any sport for assistance. To compete for a cricket shield and to consider playing for a rugby cup detrimental to the school did not appear to be consistent. The traditions associated with the Moascar Cup should place it in a special position in regard to school sport, and very keen interest had been shown in it in the North Island, Auckland being most enthusiastic.

“The question of gate money enters into this matter,” Mr Wilson added. “The New Zealand Rugby Union last year lo«t the best part of £lOO over the Moascar Cup competition, and it would be quite impossible to play any matches without! a gate unless the schools were prepared to pay their own travelling expenses. In Canterbury the Rugby Union have never yet taken a penny for their own funds from any secondary school match. Of all the money received from the High School-Col-lege matches one-third has gone to each of the competing schools on condition that they apply it to their sports fund for improving their school grounds (not necessarily the football ground) and the remaining third goes to the Primary Schools’ Association, for it is there that the secondary schools are recruited very largely. None of the money goes to the Rugby Union.”