CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17034, 7 May 1923, Page 3

CRICKET.

IMPROVING THE GAME. COACH FOR JUNIOR PLAYERS. Proposals for improving the game of cricket in Canterbury were discuesed at a meeting of enthusiasts held on Saturday evening. Mr W. -Simpson, who presided, said the executive of the Canterbury Cricket Association recommended that it was necessary that the services of Shacklock. who coached the primary school boys, should be retained, and seoondly. that supporters of the game should be asked to contribute £SOO a year for three years, the funds to he used mainly for coaching and Boys' Association expenses; It was also suggested that, subscriptions should be aeked for a capital fund. The association'* executive considered that, the game should be built up from the bottom. If the association could get £SOO a year for the next three years it would he able to carry on, a 3 it was hoped that next year the grounds would he in capital order. The meeting had been called to give cricket enthusiasts an opportunity of discussing the proposals. LACK OF FUNDS. Mr R. B. Ward, treasurer of the Cricket. Association, said that cricket- was not like Rugby football—it had no funds and no big 2ates. The Cricket. Association had extensive tours to pay for. especially when the team went north. It would be necessary to raise £SOO a year, as the sum of £125 a year paid to the coach for the school boys would have to be increased. and because grounds had to be maintained. It was not intended to make an appeal for general cricket purposes—the cricketers themselves provided the money required in that way. The money raised was to go for the benefit, of those who could not afford to pay. On behalf of the boys, they should be able to go to the public with confidence. He believed it might he wise to make the appeal in September. The money would not be used oa Lancaster Park—be wished to stress that point.. It would be used mainly at H&gley Park and at, possibly. Sydenham Park and outside parks. The great need was the help of business men. A DECISION NECESSARY. Mr Simpson said the association had to make up its mind now in regard 1» Shacklock. That matter could net be held over. Mr D. Reese asked for what purpose the promise of £IOO a year by certain people had been made. Mr Simpson said it was to be used a<e the association ti ought fit—not for the capital fund. Mr Reeee said the association could not take on the duty f engaging two coaches, but it could ar'Ange with Mr Shacklock to have two job -coaching the primary school boys aid coaching the junior players of the various clubs. That would he the r ort economical system. He believed nothing would be lost by poetooning the appeal to the public, pro vided a satisfactory arrangement was made with Shacklock right away. How was the £SOO tnade up? Mr .Simpson said the Boys* Association cxicket was now costing £250 a year, and there would be the salary for the coach to be added to that and incidental expenses PROVIDING FOR ' BOYS OR ICKET. Mr Reese said the association should not try to do too much. If it did, it would require heavy expense. It might surprise members to know that the associations in Bydoey and Melbourne only *Mr Ward: Do yon suggest we should drop hoys' cricket Mr Reeee said h© did not. but the question must be considered. It must be remembered that many of the boys who received the benefit, of coaching did not come under the association later. His to ask for. In Australia-, the boys played on municipal ground o . If that system were sidopted in Christchurch there would he n great saving to the association. For it stance, Elmwood Park could be used. Mr Bitnpson said it would certainly be a help if the City Council provided grounds for the However. Sydenham Park, a municipal ground, cost the Sydenham Club more than any other ground cost any other club. Mr H. E. Lawrence said the association should see that the boys wer*> not given their cricket for nothing. That was a bad custom. ing should recommend the committee, of the Cricket Association to offer Mr Shacklock £2OO a year for bis services as coach for both junior and boys’ cricket, such salary to start immediately he accepted the offer: and that the meeting should pledge, itself to raise the amount. In reply to a question. Mr Ward said the association now had a credit balance of €240. but Canterbury bad to tour to Auckland next season. Mr Reese seconded the motion Mr Lnwrenoe said it seemed that the association was evidently recommended to pay the coach £3 a week for six months’ work. Mr Barrett : Or £l6 a week for three months’ work. (Laughter.) Mr Reeee said that the system proposed was that in operation all over thifr world The motion was carried. POSTPONING THE APPEAL Mr Barrett then suggested that the appeal to the general public should be postponed till September, and that the meeting should be re-convened in the second week in August. He supported the idea that the. municipality should provide wicket*. Even such an effete body as the London County Council, which did not know how to scientifically elect itself—laughter—provided 500 wickets every sea son. In Melbourne and Sydney the municipality provided wickets for boys' cricket Mr Ward: They are concrete wickets Mr Barrett.: Well, good concrete wickets are better than bad watered wickets. (Laughter.) Mr E. R- Caygill said he felt that while the Boys' League oricket scheme should be fostered, it was not the most important matter. There were other things nearer In regard to the capital fund proposal, Mr Ward explained that this fund was required so that in future any appeal to the public would not be necessary. The principal would not be touched. The public could earmark subscriptions for the oapital fund if they wished. That was apart from the £SOO a. year required for the next three years. It was decided to adjourn the appeal until a later date, and to recommend the Crioket Association to send a deputation to the City Council in reference to providing crioket for boya on municipal domains.