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FOOTBALL.

THE OLD BOYS' CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Old Boys' Football ' Club was held last night, Mr W. Devenish presiding. There was a large attendance.

The annual report of the Committee was read as follows : —

''On the whole, the first year of the Club's existence has been a most successful one, not marked; perhaps, by any great victories or glory of laurel wreaths, but still one with which members generally may feel well satisfied; "The main purpose of the foundation of the Club, the promotion and interchange of feeling of goodfellowship among Nelson College Old Boys, has been realised to the full, and the_ experiment has proved an unqualified success. "■.'.

"The first year of an institution sucli as this is often one of anxiety, for when the main bond of union among members is more or less one of sentiment, there is a danger of the enthusiasm waning as rapidly as it fired, unless a firm undercurrent of esprit _de corps exists. Fortunately such a spirit is amongst us, and your Committee trust that always it will be the essence of the Club's existence, for then its continued existence is assured. As an example of the enthusiasm which animates members of the Club, we need only instance the loyalty of R. Field and M. Rogers, who, at great personal inconvenience travelled long distances to assist the Club in its matches- Then, too, whenever the team was short-handed, some of the older members of the Club were only too willing to fill up some of the gape, and to these the thanks of the Club aro due. The spirit of self-sacrifice thus shown among the older members is proof conclusive of the enthusiastic nature of their support. We are proud to possess such members as these, and fully appreciate their unselfishness and devoted loyalty to the Club. "The membership of the Club last season reached a membership of 56, and two fifteens, were placed in the field. _ A large increase in the membership is expected during the coming season, aiuFit is anticipated that there will be no difficulty in placing another fifteen in the field.

"The thanks of the Club are due to the Principal of the College for placing the gymnasium at the Club's disposal for practice purposes — an offer of which the Club eagerly availed itself. The. saving of the expense of hiring a hall for training purposes.was in itself no small item, and the gymnasium reived a useful purpose as a means of bringing members together during the week. Mr Fowler also kindly placed a room at the disposal of the Club for holding its committee meetings. ■ "The first fifteen competed in the senior competition, playing 10 matches —winning five; losing four, and drawing one. The second fifteen entered for the second junior competition, winning one and losing four matches.

' 'Representative honours were gained by P. C. Edmondson, W. G. Harley, G. Richmond and A: Sandel; and the twclast-named players also played for the Nelson and Marlborough team against the Anglo- Welsh team. "Last year saw the inception of the Old Boys' inter-club football competition for the shield presented by your President (Mr Devenish). The matches' were played at Wellington,, when three teams, including our own, entered, the shield being, won by the Christchurch Boys' High School Old Boys' team. The thanks of the Club are due to those- Nelson College Old Boys resident in Wellington who played for our Club, and without whose assistance it would lip.fe been impossible to be represented in the initial competition. The competition this year will be held in Christchurch about the 24th of May, and as the management will be in the hands of the Christchurch High School Old Boys' Club, it is bound to be a great success. It is to be hoped that- the Club will be strongly represented, and that every member selected will endeavour to make the trip. -

" "During the season a very successful dance was given by the Club, and the thanks of the Club are due to those members and lady suportors of the Club who went to such trouble to onsure its success.

" "A conference of representatives from the. Rugby. Unions of the Dominion was held in Wellington last year, and important alterations were sug-,. gested in the rules of the game" which are likely to improve the game materially. An attempt to relax the laws relating to professionalism in the directon of legalising 'cash payments' failed. In connection with the latter measure, the Club mot and passed a resolution protesting against any alteration of the laws impairing the amateur status of the ga:ne. "Your Committee regret the departure from Nelson of 11. Beauehanip, M. Kempthorne, and R. Millard, all keen players, whose loss "will be felt during the coining season." "Last year alfio saw the inception of our sister institution— the Nelson College Old Boys' Cricket Club, and your Committee was pleased to be able to assist it by a 10an. 0f. £5.;. "Your Committee have_ much pleasure in calling the attention of members to the very satisfactory financial position of the Club, as shown by the balance-sheet presented 1 by the" hon. treasurer. _ . "In conclusion, your Committee are confident that if the present interest and enthusiasm continues to prevail, the Club can look forward to a prosperous future."

The balance sheet showed a credit of £8. ' , | * The report and balance-sheet were adopted. , Several alteration to the rules were agreed to. v „■'■•' -i. i The election of officers resulted as follows :— President, Mr W. Devenish ; (re-elected) ; Vice Presidents, Messrs H L. Fowler, C. H. Broad, J. Houlker and Dr Andrew (all re-elected) Hon Secretary, Mr K. C Akers.(reelected) ; Hon Treasurer, Mr G. Rich-, mond (re-elected) ; Auditor, Mr F. A. Waters ; Committee, Messrs Bisley, Edmondsoh, Emerson, Harley,, and Moyes. Mr G. Richmond offered to donate a gold medal to the best senior forward/for which he was accorded a vote of thanks.

The Deans memorial subscription list was left in the hands of the.Secretary. The meeting concluded with the usual vote of thanks.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TC19090304.2.18

Bibliographic details

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12479, 4 March 1909, Page 2

Word Count
1,012

FOOTBALL. Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12479, 4 March 1909, Page 2

FOOTBALL. Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12479, 4 March 1909, Page 2