THE FOOTBALL AMATEUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16471, 6 July 1921, Page 3

THE FOOTBALL AMATEUR.

DEFINING HIS STATUS. (By Ernest E. Booth, All Black 1905, N.S.AV. 1908-9-10). (Written for th© “ Star.”) There has been a tremendous amount of harsh criticism, severe condemnation and general controversy in amateur associations re the establishment ot Rugby League football in the Sydney University. Also, a very strong movement has lately been inaugurated to form an absolutely amateur Rugby League iu opposition to the present body known as the Northern Union League. Last year with a view to testing their position the secretary ot the Sydney University Club sent circulars to all sporting bodies asking them to attend a conference to discuss the question of amateur status. The Amateur Sporting Federation lackoci the confidence of many athletic bodies and fought the controlling influence ot the League with its professionally controlled management, direction aud jurisdiction. The result was a continued difference of opinion which exists to this day. The latest movement now afoot in Sydney is to form an amateur Rugby League in opposition to the parent body. It was generally conceded that all th© amateur bodies as well as the Amateur Sporting Federation would have unanimously accepted the amateur definition had the League agreed to eliminate professionals from club control. Tins they would uot consider tor a moment. It lias been a juicy joint for many ex-players and officials. Amateur League beginning is fraught M'ith immense possibilities and is distinctly a. blow to the League on account nf the hundreds of ex-sehool boys and masters who will probably follow tins new order. The League has not catered for the schools in the same helpful fashion as the Rugby Union did m bygone days. Tho top-notch players and clubs take all the plums out of the pie percentages and it has only recently been #n innovation for the juniors to get auvti'Yig at all. __ . However, to review the YDiversity question: Much interest has been aroused here in New Zealand on the position in Tiew of the inter-’varsity matches between New Zealand and New ooutli Wales. For some years I have been intimatelv associated with football in New South Wales and think that tho football public have been somewhat misled by the cables and advices received. From reports published it would appear that tho University , had adopted the professedly professional Northern Union game in toto and that that the schools had gone over to the League. Such, however is not the case As a matter of fact all the big secondary scools (high wheels and inter collegiate) competitions are Pjayed uuder tho Rugby Union Tides. "“fM* inter-collegiate contests are lndisputab£ the best and truest S ra ° the secondary schools playing here in New Zea Wand that’s saving a verv great deal. Were it possible to send ” a T en college team to New Zea There was a movement started to duce tho great Roman Catholic Colleges to play League preference to Union but as this would debar them from big collegiate contests the idea fell flat, although some of the small schools Started. To illustrate the quality and training . the college youths get I may mention that No tbling, Carr. Sheenan and Lane, tho best of the New South M ales teams hacks against the Springboks are pi oducts of these secondary schools and colleges- Last year two university teams, mieerablv weak (real chopping blacks for the big highly trained and coached senior League teams) made an almost farcical season s debut. 1 hen desertion from the Union ranks mac.© no material difference as can be judged bv th© ’Varsity team’s pray here in New Zealand when they made Oiugo look “silly” on their own pround and bv the premier position thev also attained in the club competition in the metropolis. In fact they were one of the strongest representations for years. Numerically the University is stronger than ever, th© attendance being over 3000 daily. In reality this League movement in the ’Varsity was supposed to be sectarian but 'there is more, likelihood of its being really an overflow of available players, many of whom were enamoured of the open splashy League code. In all fairness it must be positively understood that these fellows were playing purely as amateurs and uot sharing proceeds or dividends, gates, etc., from matches. AVhethcr they have continued to do so this season fs another matter. Their procedure last year brought up the much and often discussed problem “Can amateurs play (without wages or gratuities) with professionals without losing their amateur status? ” it is done in cricket and therefore why not in football? At any rate, it would look as if this University movement will necessitate a much broader inieroretation of .the present amateur rulings. There is, T believe, a clause of the Amateur Snorting Federation rules which reads thus: —“ Amateurs shall not lovso their status by competing with or against professionals in any game for which no money prize is offered for the nrna-

prize is offered for the ama;our. ft can bo taken as a. certitude tliat those University players do not wish a professional game and a rating as a ‘ : pro.,’ but_ a i mply pretY*r the more spectacular Northern Union game. In fact, their club's constitution aims (objects, etc.) : First, to enable University men to play as amateurs under League auspices: second, to compete in all sports, and games with professional sportsmen without incurring the loss of amateur status or other disqualification.

It is quite reasonable to suppose that a very large percentage of University men are vitally interested. if not direotlv instrumental, in this newer movement of to-dav for an Amateur Rugby League. What attitude the English Rugby Union would adopt towards this socalled il Another Colonial Innovation ” of “ pro.” and amateur playing together would bo very interesting. They view their present constitutional laws as perfect and unalterable as the ancient laws of the Modes and the Persians. The Scottish Rugby Union would solemnly raise their pious hands in horror. This Union is yet determinedly fixed in its convict«wn that we AH Blacks getting the miserable pittance of 3s per diem for pocket money Were nothing more or less than professionals. They forget that “ I>arkie ” Sievwright's (Scottish captain) team received a whole half-crown (2s 6d) per diem when they toured Australasia. Whilst on tin's subject of teams’ allowance, it will bo very interesting to the Now Zealand football public to know what allowance these Springboks (“ Talywhito amateurs.” dubbed bv Major Cox) are receiving. T» England the S nr in "bo ks are viewed as models of football decorum. I bone Ibis explanation regarding the University situation will sufficiently enlighten tliose who have rnavbe callously misjudged these students. Apparently their honest desire was to

play as amateurs even if thev play thirteen men a-side or against League players. In conclusion. it may be mentioned they maintain their “class.” Their movement is not spreading, but steadily declining.