Association Code Should Be Given Stimulus

Southland Times, Issue 23825, 24 May 1939, Page 11

Association Code Should Be Given Stimulus

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Although the Association football season has so far produced some good games, there appears to be less interest taken in the game than was the case a few years ago. Public interest in the sport has never been keen in Invercargill, but a certain apathy among players is of recent growth. One reason for this may be the comparative small number of young players taking part in the game. With the exception of Old Boys, most teams in the competition depend for their strength on players who have seen many seasons of Association football.

Enthusiasm is not lacking among the older players, but the infusion of more young blood in the sport would undoubtedly go a long way towards bringing Association to the forefront of winter sports in Invercargill. The Southland Football Association could help bring this about by making a determined drive to popularize the sport in city schools. Rugby football has long been supreme among winter sports in schools, but that is no reason why its supremacy should not be challenged. There must be many boys not playing Rugby, or taking only a half-hearted interest in it, who could be induced to take up Association football and gain an enthusiasm for it which Rugby has failed to rouse.

Broadcast talks by a qualified speaker would also do something to create interest in the sport. One who comes to mind as being well equipped for this job is Mr W. J. Reddington, a Southland representative player for many years and a well-known referee. Similarly, members of the association could give addresses in schools on the attractions held by the sport. When the English Association football team played in Invercargill two years ago in the course of its Dominion tour, there seemed to be every possibility of the game taking a new lease of life in the province. Those who saw the English players in action were brought to realize what science there 1 is in the game and what attractions it

holds when it is well played. There was then a golden opportunity to launch a campaign to win recruits to the game, but advantage was not taken of it. However, although the iron is now cold equally good results might be obtained if it was shewdly struck. This is where the association must play its part. COACHING SCHOOL MIGHT HELP Good results might be obtained by the formation of a coaching school in Invercargill. Young players and recruits to the game could be given instruction by such experienced players as M. and L. O’Rorke, and many others. The school would be for all players and intending players, not for members of any particular club, and, properly handled—and there are the men available to see that it is—the course of instruction could be made so interesting that it would attract boys and youths not formerly interested in the game. Association football flourishes in other centres in New Zealand and there is no reason why it should not do so in Invercargill. The remedy lies in the hands of the association and the players themselves. Something should be done, and done soon. Only one senior game was played in the McDonald Cup competition last Saturday, and that was the match between Mataura and Old Boys at Mataura. The match which was to have been played between Thistle and Central was postponed because of the heavy rain which fell in the morning and early afternoon. From reports, the Mataura-Old Boys game was robbed of much of its interest by reason of the fact that Old Boys was able to field only eight players. The country team was never fully extended and won by seven goals to two. Points in the cup competition are: Goals

P. W. D. For Agst. Pts. Mataura 4 3 1 20 10 6 Thistle 3 3 — 18 7 6 Centra! 3 1 2 7 14 2 Old Boys 4 ■ - 4 8 22 —