SOCCER SOCIAL

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1935, Page 7

SOCCER SOCIAL

SCHOOLBOYS ENTERTAINED. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. The Webster Shield won by Hawkes Bay and .Wellington at the North Island primary schools’ Soccer tournament yesterday and trophies won by Taranaki schools this season were presented to the winners at a social tendered to the visiting teams last night by the Taranaki Primary Schools’ Football Association. The president, Mr. G. E. Roper, presided and associated with him were the Mayor, Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour, Mr. S. C. Shedden (president of the North Island Primary Schools’ Football Association), Mrs. Shedden, Dr. D. E. Brown (patron of the Taranaki Primary Schools Football Association), Mrs. Brown, Mr. W. Adams (president of the Taranaki Football Association), Mr. T. W. Smith (vice-president of the Taranaki Football Association). . . . , Mr. Roper expressed appreciation ot the assistance and co-operation the association had received from the headmasters of the New Plymouth schools. Some boys were more suited for Rugby and others for Soccer, he said, and he felt there was room for both codes in the schools. The association was doing a very tine work, as was exemplified by the play during the last three days, said Dr. Brown in proposing the toast of the North Island Primary Schools’ Football Association. The most striking feature of the tournament was the conduct of the players on and off the field. Their conduct reflected credit on the masters and coaches. Every sport should be clean and hard-fought and the work of developing the right spirit was an important one. The high standard of play and conduct of the playing field should not stop at the tournament, and it spoke well that boys of their age had such manly qualities. The management was judged by its results and the conduct of the boys was the result of the management. The opposition’ to Soccer in schools was gradually being dispelled. He congratulated the Taranaki association on the manner with which the tournament was conducted. The management committee had done well. For many years Mr. Gorringe had worked quietly but most effectively in putting primary school Soccer on the map at New Plymouth. He congratulated the North Island management on the good losers it was able to produce. It was the spirit with which the games were lost that made for the success of such tournaments. The association had been in existence for 12 or 15 years, said Mr. Shedden in reply. It had had its ups and downs but to-day it appeared to be at its full strength. The gathering was the conclusion of a happy and enjoyable experience. It was when he witnessed such tournaments that he felt proud of being associated with the association. He paid a tribute to the ability of the Taranaki association in conducting the tournament. Other toasts were: Visiting teams, Mr. Gilmour—Messrs. Wilson (Hawkes Bay), Kempson (Manawatu), Gorringe (Taranaki), Heyes (Wairarapa), Ward (Wanganui) and Shedden (Wellington); The referees, Mr. Adams—Mr. G. Lawrence; The ladies, Mr. T. Smith—Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Shedden presented the following trophies won in North Taranaki competitions: Malayan Shield for B grade competition, Moturpa school (second time in succession); Thomson Cup for A grade competition, Vogeltown school (second time); Johnston Cup for six-a-side competition, Central school; most improved Taranaki player, J. Allison (West End); best player in inter-provincial tournament, J. Kidd (Wanganui); Webster Shield for representative tournament, Wellington and Hawkes Bay. A programme was presented by the following: Miss D. Burrows (recitations), Mr. R. Anderson (electric club swinging), Masters J. Gordon (songs), R. Wilmshurst (drum solo) and Baker (recitations), Messrs. J. Rae, P. Wilmshurst and N. Rimmington (sketch), Mr. R. Anderson and Master R. Bond (gymnastics display) and Mr. G. Lawrence (community singing). Mrs. Bremer played the accompaniments.