SOCIAL EVENING

Southland Times, Issue 21219, 21 October 1930, Page 4

SOCIAL EVENING

SOUTHLAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

SOCCER SUPPORTERS GATHER.

There was a 'good assembly of Soccer players and supporters in the Federal Banquet Hail last evening for the annual dinner of the .Southland Football Association. The president of the association (Mr T. Penman) was in the chair. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. D. Campbell) was present and made the presentation of the lour trophies to the successful teams. Tbe Rangers Club was the winner of -the McDonald and Charity Cups and Corinthians were successful in the competition tor the President’s and Mangun Cups. The toast of "School Football” was proposed by Mr R. Waterson. The Schools’ Football Association was. formed for the purpose of getting into touch with the schools. He said their task was difficult, but 'if Soccer could bo introduced into the schools it was there' that the future footballers would be found.

Mr W. H. Gazzard responded. He said it gave him great pleasure to attend the association's annual dinner and he was sorry that more fellow-teachers were not present. As the previous speaker had said it was. from the schools that the players of to-morrow would have to come. In the school one master was allotted to each team and he looked after Soccer. it had been a pleasure to him to do so and during the year he had hardly missed a match. Together with Mr R. Hodgson, secretary of the association, he had gone to Christchurch with the school team and represented the Southland Association there. The team had done quite creditably, defeating a team from Westland, where the code was strong. To give an impetus to the game the schools tournament would be held in Invercargill next year. When the team was leaving for Christchurch, the Southland Rugby Football Union had been approached for the loan of jerseys, but it had flatly refused. However, it did not matter as a few hours afterwards the jerseys had been procured. At Christchurch it was mooted to approach the Minister of Education in regard to introducing the game into the schools, as one school in Christchurch had refused to do so. At the" North School, he said, there were several boys who played both games and there was no reason why it should not be so. Of course, the heads of both games, did not always see things in that light. 1 . ■ Mr A. Batchelor proposed the toast of "The Southland Football Association.” The controlling members of the game had the least fun out of it and the most work, he said. He intended to turn out next season and he hoped there would be four teams.in the field; then there would be a cup for each. However, the game should not be played for the trophies, but for the game’s sake. Mr Penman responded. He said that during the past season the game had gone well with three teams competing. He thought each school could turn out two teams. He agreed that it was the schools who would provide the players of the future. He would like to see the players take a greater interest in the association. There was no reason why there should not be live clubs in Invercargill. In fact he thought in time there would be six or seven clubs.

"The St. John Ambulance. Association” was proposed by Mr Owen Smith. He said it was very pleasant to see Mr McManus present at the matches. In fact, he was sure Mr McManus would be a supporter of the game. He was there ready with assistance in case of accident. The St. John Ambulance Association was to be congratulated on the work performed. The response was made by Mr F. McManus. His Worship said the function that evening was his twenty-fifth engagement since last Monday. He considered it was the duty of a mayor to take an unbiassed interest in all the happenings in the city. Last year the four trophies had been won by one club, but he was pleased to know that such was not the case this. year. That engendered stronger competition. He considered that young men took part in sport because it was manly. Soccer was a game which demanded physical fitness because it was fast. He always thought that a game was cleaner when opponents actually did not come into contact with each other. He desired to congratulate the association on the successful season jOst past. His Worship then presented the trophies to the winning teams. The representatives of the teams responded. Other toasts honoured were “The Chairman” (proposed by Mr W.' H. Gazzard and responded to by Mr Penman); "The Secretary (Mr Owen Smith—Mr R. Hodgson); “The Accompaniste” (his Worship the Mayor—Mrs Bruce) and “The Press.’’

During the evening items were given by Mrs A. E. Bruce (pianoforte and vocal) and Messrs. J. A. Gallan (humorous story), K. Adlard ' (song), R. Waterson (song),'J. Gunn (songl, McMahon and Shirley (cornet duet) and Owen Smith (song). Mrs Bruce was the accompaniste.