SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1924, Page 8

SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

TOO MUCH PUBLICITY, CUP MATCHES CONDEMNED NEED FOR SCHOOL GROUND. Almost unanimous disapproval of th< state of affairs regarding the football jnatches played by the New Plymouth Boys’ High School during the past season, and a hint that some action would possibly be taken before the commencement of the next season, were expressed at the annual meeting <of the High School Old Boys’ Association last night. Objection was raised on the grounds that the boys were too prominently before the eyes of the public and became too closely associated with the worst aspects of football matches. It was also considered that under the Moaecar Cup scheme, as it worked last season, the boys were called upon to play too many matches. The remedy suggested v* the limiting of the number of snatches next year, and the early provision of a football ground at the school, where al| school matches should be played. A SCHOOL GROUND. The matter was referred to by Mft C. H. Wynyard (president of the association) in moving the adoption of thg annual report. “The next great work of the association,” he said,, “is attention to the gully at the school and the provision of a football ground there. It is nothing short of deplorable that the school has no football ground of ila own.” Continuing, Mr. Wynyard expressed the opinion that in their matches before large crowds, the boys went brought into too close contact with certain sections of the public, and ele« ments crept in that were undesirably and should not be there. He referred particularly to betting on the school matches, which, it must be admitted, was prevalent, and which everyone hated to see. For that reason, then« ho should like to see the matches played, on the school ground as soon as sible.

- The undesirability of continuing the matches on the same lines was stressed by Mr. A. M. Mac Diarmid, who stated that the Moascar Cup competition had its weaknesses. One weakness, in his opinion, was the taking charge of school matches by the Rug.by Union, and many of the public felt with him in the matter. School football should be kept separate and should not be a money-mak-ing concern for the union. (Hear, hear.) THE UNION’S POSITION. On being asked to give his views on the matter. Mr. A. J. Papps (coach of the team, and a member of the Taranaki Rugby Union) stated that he was not in a position to say what the school’s intentions were for the coming year, but he thought there was a great deal in what had been said. Speaking as a member of the Rugby Union, however, he felt compelled "to state that the -Moascar Gup had been the means of getting a number of school matches for the boys. As a matter of fact, the union made little or no money out oi the matches, as whatever profits made were put back into school football and the large “gates” w’ere almost used up in paying the travelling expenses and entertaining the visitors. The problem was a big one. however, Mi. Papps added, and there had undoubtedly been too many matches last year, as many as three within ten days on one occasion. It must be remembered, however, that probably many of the teams could not travel unless the Rugby Union used the gate money to pay their expenses.

Mr. Wynyard: I have talked tho matter over with Mr. McLeod (chairman of the union), and the question ia a big one. It can only be solved by a school ground. (Hear, hear.) What in wanted is an annual tournament on tho same lines as the Wanganui College— Wellington College—Christ’s College one.

Mr. E. I*. Webster agreed that the chairman had hit the nail on the head when he said a school ground was the solution. There had been t6o many matches last season, and it was quite possible that between then and next year something would be done. Speaking on behalf of the younger old boys, Mr. Cecil Fookes endorsed the remarks made .by the other speakers and said he thought it was the opinion o/ most of the younger old boys.