ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 29 April 1927, Page 7

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Pros* Association. .WELLINGTON, April 2S. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association was held to-day, Sir C. Statham presiding. The chairman said he was particularly pleased to see that the Association was looking after younger placers. Mr Varney, chairman of the Council, in moving the adoption of the report, said they were gradually securing a footing in the schools. There was also a steady influx of immigrants, adding to the interest in the game. “Soccer” was becoming a world game. The past year had been a strenuous one. Negotiations in regard to a possible tour were carried out with Scotland, Uruguay, Canada. Australia, and America. It was hoped that at no distant date they would be arranged. It was felt that visits of delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa, in order that a plan of tours might be arranged. It was left that visits from overseas teams would do more to bring the game prominently before the public than anything else. A proposal had been made that a team of Australian school boys should be invited to visit New Zealand, and advice had been received that the boys to be sent would he under fifteen years of age. At present the prospects of the visit taking place were excellent. The Council was hopeful it would be possible for New Zealand to be represented at the Olvmpic Games at Los Angeles in 19 32. Referring to the English Trophy and the Chatham Cup competitions, Mr Varney said he was sure that these competitions were going to play a big part in improving the standard of play.

Officers were elected as follows: Patron, the Governor-General; president, Sir C. P. Skerrett (Chief Justice) ; the Hon. J. Mclntyre and Messrs G. W. Bagrie, and T. A. McLaren were added to the list of vicepresidents; Council, Messrs Varney, F. Campbell, F. Sanders, H. L. Godber, B. L. Salmon, J. A. Milburn, A. J. Hyder, A. Renai, AV. G. Bryce; treasurer, Mr Graves; auditor, Mr N. McFarlane; representative on Football Association, Mr A. E. Gibbs; representative in Canada and the States, Mr 11. N. Holmes. It was carried that the New Zealand Council consider the alteration of the Chatham Cup rules, so that teams playing in the final and semifinal will receive expenses incurred in full; that interprovincial schools competitions as run in the past two seasons be discontinued, and in lieu thereof a competition be played up to the semi-final in each island, the final being alternatively played in the North and South Island. A remit was proposed that in the event of any Association, Union, League, player, official, mcmbei 01 spectator of any kindred sport in New Zealand being disqualified, it shall not be lawful for any Association affiliated to the Council to admit such union, etc., without special permission.