FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1921, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

STRATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB. ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT. The annual smoke concert of the Stratford Football Club was held at the .Town Hall last night, Mr. R. F. Harkness, president of the club, presiding over a good attendance of members, and there were also present: Messrs. J. McLeod (president of the New Zealand Rugby Union), J. D. Malone (president jf the Taranaki Rugby Union), G. E. •lago (secretary of the Taranaki Rugby Union), P. Skoglund (ex-secretary of the Taranaki Rugby Union), and other leading Rugby enthusiasts.

Proceedings opened with the toast of “The King,” followed by “The New Zealand Rugby Union,” proposed by Mr. Malone, who referred to the great season which had just passed, and spoke in support of a change in the constitution of the management of New Zealand Rugby. Mr. McLeod responded, and outlined his suggestions for a change in the management, referring to the fact that it had been thought in other countries that New Zealand Rugby players were verging on the professional side of sport—an impression which the Springbok tour had done much to remove. He congratulated the Stratford Club on the good teams it turned out, and praised Messrs. D. J. Malone, G. E. .lago and C. Jackson for the work they had done for Rugby in Stratford.

WORK OF RUGBY UNION. Mt. Campbell Jackson proposed “The Taranaki Rugby Union.” If they reckoned up the business of the Taranaki Rugby Union on results the union had been most successful. Taranaki had the hardest row to hoe of any union in New Zealand, because of the great range of country it covered. They had to make a paying success of the gate business. He was convinced that Mr. McLeod and Mr. Malone were the best men in New Zealand for their position. They would always listen to your advice, though, he added, “they didn't always take it.” He thought Stratford had given the Rugby Union good support. The union had been up against it financially for years and years, and they should all support it. Football had never been more cleanly played in Taranaki than during the last twelve months. There was not a single thing to cavil at in the way the Taranaki Union had managed all their big games. Mr. Malone, responding, paid a tribute to the work of Mr. G-. E. dago as

seeretarv of the union. He also mentioned the good, efforts of Messrs. P. Skoglund and R. R. Tyrer, who had of late had to le?ve off taking an active p4rt in the game owing to pressure of business. Mr. Lyall had done yeoman service in the management of the primary schools football competitions. Mr. McLeod, responding, stressed the great need of keeping interest in Rugby football in the school boys. It was them they looked to to carry on the game in future yearsTN BRIGHT PROSPECTS. Mr. G. E. Jago, responding, touched on the very bright 'prospects for Taranaki football for next year. He referred to the improvements to the various grounds in the district, and paid a tribute to the work of the various club secretaries, who had been of great assistance to him during the past season. Mr. P. Skoglund proposed the toast of “The Stratford Football Club,” and congratulated the club on tlfe strength to which it had been brought. There was not another club in the union which put on the field as many teams as did the Stratford Club. Messi’s. C. A. Gray and R. Woods responded. Mr. G. E Jago proposed • the toast of “The Taranaki Referees’ Association,” and referred to the remarkable cleanness of the play during the past year. Only eight cases of unfair play had been reported during the' year. Messrs. J. H. Thompson and P. Skoglund responded. Other toasts honored were: —“Kindred Sports,” Mr. W. H. Kelly, responded to by Mr. G. Mitchell; “The Chairmaib’’ Mr. J. H. Thompson, responded to by Mr. Harkness; “The Ladies,’’ Mr. L, Berg, responded to by Mr. E. McCullough; ”The Press,” proposed by Mr. D. J. Malone. AWARD OF MEDALS.

During the evening the medals Won by various club players during the last ason were presented by Mr. Harkness. They were as follows, the names of the donors going in parentheses? Seniors—Best back, L, Berg (Mr. R. Masters, M.P.); best forward, H. Masters (Mr R. Masters, M.P.). Juniors. —Best back, W. Casey (N. Cook): best forward, L. Sharrock (W. L'arragh).

Third tirade. —Best back, G. Collins (R. Wood); best forward, A. Papps (H,

Fourth Grade.—Best back, A. Brook ing (J- Petrie); best forward, W. McCullough . (C. Jackson).

Plumtree Cup, for best trained man. — E. McCullough. This is to be held for one year, and if won thrice, becomes

his property, ■ Mr. W. H. Kelly offered a medal for next season for the best trained boy in the Fourth Grade competition. The donors of medals were toasted, Mr. W. Daft’agh responding. During the evening vocal items were o-iven by Messrs, G. E. Jagp, J. H, Thompspp and others, Mr. Thompson presiding at the piano, FOOTBALL A CHANGE NEEDED. The need- for a change _of football management for New Zealand Wss meutipned at the Stratford Club’s smoke concert on Friday night. Mr. D. J- Malone proposed the toast of ‘’The New Zealand Rugby Union,” As thev were aware, this had been a menu ora'ble year in the history of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and consequently the work of the union had been heavier than ever before. Mistakes had been made, but he was confident that all the members of the executive were workino- to the best of their ability. I hey knew Mr. McLeojl for the sterling wqr|< lie done, (Applause,l Were q nut for Mr. McLeod, and his knowledge football' tllP iweni supcesaful tour of the Snringboks would not have been the success it was The mistakes winch were made in connection with the tour were made because-of inexperience. The executive had done yeoman work, and made gl'P.at sacrifices in their work. While they had found faqlt they musf erpffit where erfidit was Jup, W»

on the whole they could compliment the N.Z.R.U. on handling of football in New Zealand. It was a very difficult thing indeed for a union composed as the Rugby Union was to give satisfaction to all provinces. It was almost impossible, and he was very pleased indeed to see that the president had given notice to alter the constitution of the Rugby Union. If his proposal was carried it would be an innovation which would have a decided influence in the management of football in New Zealand. It would mean that they would have men managing who were closely in- touch with football. At present it was the practice to elect gentlemen residing in Wellington. In a number of cases men had been elected who were out of touch with the various provinces in New Zealand. A small executive would be responsible for the management, and would be responsible to a bigger executive, which would meet at intervals. Taranaki had been extremely fortunate in that during the last few years they had been strongly represented on the management, it was unique that the 5’ should have both the chairman and secretary on the management. The president had proved his worth, and no one would cavil at his appointment. Mr. McLeod, responding, agreed that those associated with the management of the New Zealand Rugby Union had done a great lot of work without thought of recompense. Mistakes had been made, but only the mistakes which .they could have expected with a body of men so constituted. The Springboks’ tour was the biggest tour that had ever been made, and with only ten weeks to make arrangements some mistakes were inevitable. ?<o mistakes had been made which would in any way affect the pleasure of the visitors. Anything which was done was only what would reflect on the harmony of the local unions, Some trouble, which was in reality no trouble at all. had arisen in Nelson over a trivial matter, and had been brought about by a joke of the manager himself. Football had developed into a big business, and, after racing, was the biggest business in the Dominion. He had suggested that they should discuss the questi >n of changing the constitution to bring the New Zealand Union into closer touch with (he provincial unions. He believed that, whilst they had had on Hie management committee many of the best men who had ever had anything to do with football, it was possible that they might have on the committee men who had entirely lost touch with the provincial unions. Men who had managed provincial football should associate and manage the big tours. Ton's such as the South Africans’ wore but

provincial tours on a huge scale. He suggested that the union should have an executive qf three men in-. Wellington tp caVyy on the business between the meetings of the executive, which >iould be formed of about five men from various parts- of the Dominion. Had this idea been adopted before there would not have been the mistakes which were made in the Springboks* tour.