HOCKEY CONFERENCE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3795, 14 August 1936, Page 12

HOCKEY CONFERENCE

LEVY FOR OLYMPIC GAMES TEAM. QUESTION OF TOURS. The New Zealand Hockey Association’s first Dominion conference was held in Wellington on Tuesday. There were more than 30 delegates present. The chairman, Mr H. S. J. Goodman, referred to the good done by the Indian team's visit iast year and to the progress made by the game in New Zealand. Since 1902, when the association was formed, 21 associations had affiliated to the parent body, and about 5000 men were now playing the game in the Dominion. Mr Gupta, co-manager of the Indian team, had stated that hockey in this country was the best organised in the world, and that New Zealand should be placed third on the world's ranking list. The possibilities of a New Zealand hockey team touring Europe in the future were being investigated. It was quite likely that if the tour could be financed in Europe it would materialise. Mr C. P. McKenzie, on behalf of the Wellington association, asked that the management committee’s voting power be restricted. It the committee did not wish a certain remit carried it need only register a collective vote. The chairman did not consider any such step was necessary. AU the de-

legates were there to do their best for the game. Discussion took place on the advisability of New Zealand affiliating with the International Hockey Federation. It was recommended that New Zealand secure representation on the International Hockey Board; no advantage could be gained by affiliating with the federation.

It was made a recommendation to the New Zealand .association that it “reconsiders the boundaries of the major associations and that two boundary commissions bo appointed.” Some delegates condemned the playing for cups and trophies, and expressed the opinion that friendly visits should be paid each year among associations. The playing for trophies was not in the best interests of the game. Referring to visits from overseas teams, it was stated that while the Australians were not a big attraction with the major associations, they were a great boon to the minor associations. The chairman referred to the amicable relationships existing between New Zealand and Australia, and said that while the Australian standard might not be up to that of New Zealand’s the day would come when it would be. He stressed the fact that such tours should be continued. The following remits were carried: That the conference approves of continuing the present arrangement of matches between Australia and New Zealand at two yearly periods. That the question of future Indian and Australian tours be fully discussed.

The question of a visit to Japan was raised, Mr W. H. Down, hon, treasurer of the management com-

mittee, stating that he had been advised that Japan would welcome a team from New Zealand. It was suggested that it might be possible to arrange a visit by a Japanese team in 1939 in preparation for the Olympic Games in Japan in 1940. The committee approved a remit that “a yearly levy of Is per player be made on all players 16 years of age or over for the purpose of raising funds to send a New Zealand team to the Olympic Games in Japan.’’ It, also passed a remit that the New Zealand association consider becoming a member of the New Zealand Empire and Olympic Games Association.

The question of the playing of hockey in the schools was the subject of a long discussion, and Mr C. S. Clements said that the Canterbury association had spent £BOO in 16 years in fostering the game in the primary schools in Christchurch.

Mr D. T. Woodfield (Otago) moved: "That an annual conference of direct delegates be held providing that 60 per cent of direct delegates attend." He said that no one present could say that the meeting that day had not been a sucecss, and he was of opinion that it should be continued.

Mr McKenzie suggested that the conference should be held annually and run on similar lines to the women’s association conference. Mr Woodfield’s motion was carried. It was decided to ask the N.Z.H.A. to investigate a national insurance scheme for players, and if advantageous terms could be secured, to seek the co-operation of the New Zealand Women's Hockey Association, the results of the investigation to be reported to affiliated associations.

The conference was definitely of the opinion that the North v. South Island game be discontinued, and also suggested that the maximum time for a game to be held up through an injury be two minutes.