TRANSFER RULE ALTERED

Southland Times, Issue 23208, 25 May 1937, Page 11

TRANSFER RULE ALTERED

SOUTHLAND RUGBY UNION GENERAL MEETING OF DELEGATES At a special general meeting of delegates to the Southland Rugby Union last evening Rule 38 of the union's rules was amended to provide for the transfer from one club to another of players, who, because of extraordinary circumstances, would be otherwise debarred from playing. In its recent form the rule gave the union no elasticity in considering cases where there was hardship. This was pointed out by Mr N. R. Brown, the sponsor of the amendment, who quoted young players who. had played once or twice for a team which had since been withdrawn from the competition. - These players, he said, could not get a game in their club’s higher grade teams and because of the provisions of the rule could not join another club able to accommodate them. Mr T. R. Pryde seconded the amendment, which was adopted unanimously. Amended Form of Rule Rule 38 now reads.—“ That no player be allowed to play for more than one affiliated club during the same season until his application for a transfer has been referred to the club for which he last played, and until he obtains the consent of the Committee of Management.” The old rule read: “That no player be allowed to play for more than one affiliated club during the same season, unless he has permanently changed his residence from town to country, or vice versa, and has obtained the consent of the Committee of Management.” The weekly meeting of the management committee was also held last evening. There were present Messrs A. H. Mitchell (vice-president), A. H. Courtis, W. Baird, R. T. Meredith, W. A. H. Oliver, A. J. Geddes, H. S. Strang, R. G. Kitto, T. R. Pryde, E. H. Diack, C. C. Kenward, H. J. Brown and N. R. Brown.

Mr L. R. Lopdell was appointed to fill the vacancy on the selection committee, caused by the resignation of Mr Mitchell.

The Northern, Eastern, Wakatipu, Central, Western and Southern subunions advised that they would be entering teams for the Country Day fixtures on June 9. The draw for Country Day was referred to the selectors. J. Dixon was granted a transfer from the Pirates club to > Bluff. J. Smith (Marist) was granted a regrade from senior to junior grade. Advice was received from the Western Sub-Union nominating N. J. Irwin (Nightcaps) for consideration in the selection of the South Island team. Fixtures For Saturday The following fixtures were approved:— Seniors Marist v. Pirates, at Rugby Park at 2.15 p.m. Bluff v. Old Boys, at Bluff, at 2.45 p.m. Star v. Invercargill, at Rugby Park, at 3 p.m. Second Grade Invercargill v. Bluff, at Biggar street No. 4, at 2.45 p.m. Marist v. Pirates, at Tweed street, at 2.45 p.m. Old Boys v. Star, at Biggar street No. 5, at 2.30 p.m. Third Grade Collegiate v. Old Boys, at School No. 2, at 2 p.m. High School v. Pirates, at Rugby Park, at 1.30 pjn. Star v. Waikiwi, at Biggar street No. 2, at 2 p.m. Invercargill v. Borstal, at Borstal, at 2.30 p.m. Fourth Grade Pirates v. Star, at Bain Park, at 2.30 p.m. Waikiwi v. Invercargill, at Waikiwi, at 2.30 p.m. Collegiate v. Bluff, at Biggar street No. 3, at 2.45 p.m. Borstal v. Technical, at Borstal, at 1.30 p.m. Marist v. High School, at School No. 1, at 2 p.m. Old Boys a bye. Fifth Grade Pirates v. Marist, at South Domain, at 2.30 p.m. Technical V. Invercargill, at Biggar street No. 3, at 1.30 p.m. Old Boys v. High School, at School No. 3, at 2 p.m. writingTfor the NEWSPAPERS POSITION OF RUGBY PLAYERS The question whether Rugby players or officials of Rugby unions rightfully could contribute articles on the game to newspapers for remuneration without infringing their amateur status was answered in a circular letter from the New Zealand Rugby Union received by the management committee of the Southland Union at its meeting last evening. “It has been noticed that there Is an increasing tendency for players and officials of unions to write articles for newspapers, and I am directed to draw your attention to the rule of the Rugby Football Union (England) which rule is binding on all constituent bodies,” wrote (he secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr A. E. Neilson). The rule reads as follows: No member of the committee of the union, and unless solely engaged in the profession of journalism, no committeeman of any constituent body or club under the jurisdiction of the union, or referee or player, shall write, give information or interviews for the Press, or broadcast on current Rugby football for remuneration. The letter was noted, the chairman (Mr A. H. Mitchell) remarking that there was nothing of the kind done by Southland players.