HOCKEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16470, 5 July 1921, Page 3

HOCKEY.

SCHOOL HOCKEY,

referees and players.

(Notes by CFNTRF HALb - ) Out of courtesy to the Kughy rootball Union and the sport generally, all grade hockey was postponed on ba.turdav last. Peculiarly enough, hockey teas the only sport to show this consideration and it is uniortnnate that there is not more sympathy between the different branches of sport, so that such an important fixture as a meeting between trie *' elite” of the two islands in one branch of sport would he able to receive the whole-hearted support ot every other sport. There was another trood reason why me Hockey Association should postpone its competition, and that was that in all probability the North r South .Island hockey match will he played here this year and the local body will apply for the use of Lancaster Park for the match. PRIMARY SCHOOLS MATCHES. It to be regretted that the Senior players of the various clubs failed to take the opportunity, occasioned by the postponement, of tneir matches, to attend at the primary schools matches and coach the lads. The present method or leaving the Saturday coaching to the referees will only end in dismal failure for two reasous: Firstly, admitting, which 1 do not, tbstf the referees are competent coacocs in every case, their methods are bound to clash with methods of the player who coaches the team during the week; secondly, there are some referees controlling the school matches who. are not sufficiently experieuced to be able to interpret the rules correctly, let alone coach the lads in their games. The lads require the best coaches and the best referees that can be proem red, and by that means only can the game progress as desired in the primary schools. Last season I noticed that several schoolmasters, notably from va fiarenui and Wool Eton,- were 4 present at these matches on Saturdays', and that the boys showed more interest in the games than they do at present, and moreover, there was always someone to see that the boys’ sticks were properly cared for aud not broken and thrown 3way as if they were of no value. RF.FEREES AND PLAYERS.

Refeiring to referees brings to mind a subject that is causing a deal of worry both amongst players and referees, and one that is repidly approaching an -acute stage. A little give and take on both sides would help to tide over much of the friction that is occurring every Saturday. Taking the referees’ side of the question first, players should recognise that the referees are a body of men who, in many cases, sacrifice their own amusement or business arrangements to turn out and officiate for the sole benefit of the game. While he may be far from perfect, a referee itvenerally possesses a good know-ledge of the various rules necessary for tho proper control of the game. Now, how many players realise that it is impossible tor a referee to observe breaches that occur under such conditions as having their view cut off by a passing player And again the difficulty of detecting a break during the swift passage of the ball from one end of the'field to the other 1* A referee has to keep up with a fast game the whole way through, and decide on the instant wnether or not the advantage rule wi.l apply. Only a fortnight ago a referee, through blowing his whistle on the instant of the breach, wrongfully penalised a team. A second later the team were awarded a penalty corner lor the alleged breach, scored a gaol, and so in reality the wrong team was penalised. Now,‘had he not blown for the breach, which was by a defender. and the latter had cleared, the referee would have been condemned a.* inefficient. I quote thus case to show players that a little consideration for those filling a most onerous position would do much to improve matters. Now, to give a player’s version. One floes not like to hear a player state that his team is up against fourteen players. In a recent senior match I heard this remark, and made it my business to quietly Watch the rest of the game. The experience gained from several years on the side line lias taught me to be lenient in my criticism of referees, but I have come to the conclusion that it js high timo that a number of referees submitted themselves for a. practical as well as a theoretical examination. A'ear by year the Referees’ Association elect* on Examination Boai'd for the purpose of putting referees through Vfceir facings.. A year or two ago tio referee was appointed to aaSenior match until he had passed both theoretical and practical tests, but if some of the referees I have seen on. Senior matches this season have -passed, then the examination is a very easy one.

The rules of the association state I bat the referees’ decision on all points of fact is final, and shall not be appealed against. The rule is a good and necessary one. but all referees should make themselves competent to give the correct decisions and should realise that players are just as human as themselves. Last season T criticised a referee in a match, and the matter was discussed at a meeting of referees and players the same week, and one member stated that if my criticism was correct it was time the referees strove to obtain a higher standard of efficiency. My criticism was just and correct, and could he repeated in connection with matches T have witnessed this season, li is quite, time the members of the Hockey Referees’ Association took some steps to see that not -only arc its members efficient, but also those gentlemen who are casually appointed to officiate.