FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12548, 11 July 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND UNION

THI! "COACH" QUESTION

Tho Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union has considered it advisable to explain to the affiliated unions the reasons which induced it to appoint Mr. James Duncan ai "coach" to the team, which is about to bo sent Home. Tho following is the text of a circular which the committee ha-; just sent out:—"As-it is evident there is considerable misunderstanding amongst affiliated unions in regard to tho appointment, made by the Management Committee, of Mr. James Duncan a; r. 'coach' to accompany tho team about to tour Great Britain, the Management Committeo feel called upon to placo their views fully before affiliated unions. In view of tho fact that many delegates are being sent to the special meeting, called for the 18th instant, to consider this question, instructed to voto in a certain direction, this course 5.1 especially necessary. "A strong point has been made that hy sending a "coach" the committee havo deprived the team or the twentysixth player. This, however, is not so. It haS all along been 'on the cards' that a sacond manager would be sent with tho team. At tho annual meeting tho committee gave forth there was urgent need of further funds being provided towards sending the team Home. Thu response to this appeal hat not been what the committee expected; unions were asked to do all in their power towards raising money on debentures, but the committee regratted to find at the last, that owing to the vety, small amount taken up in debent\&ste:3'?since r the annual meeting they wero reluctantly compelled to send only twenty-fivo players, instead of twentysix, and also to send the team on tour to Sydney purely and simply for the purpose, of raising funds. The coinmit-tf-a would be very pleased to send thirty players if they received financial support strong enough to enable them prudently to do so. "An assistant to the manager was, after very mature consideration, deomer! to bo essential. Mr. Duncan was asked if ho would be prepared to' go as 'coach,' subject to the direction and control of tho manager in all things, and he consented, which virtually mean* that Mr. Duncan will not only be a 'coach,' but he will be at the manager's call to assist generally in looking aftei* tho interests of the members of tho team, and in any other capacity that tho manager may direct. The fact that. Mr. Duncan can, it it becomes absolutely necessary, don tho jersey on occasions, and in some manner make up for tho absence of the twenty-sixth player was also a consideration in making tho particular appointment. "No question was raised as to the advisability of bringing Mr. Duncan to Wellington to coach the New Zealand team for one match against the British team last year. How much moro important will it be to have a 'teach' in tho Old Country, where 30 matches aro to bo played? The committeo feel that it is of paramount importance to have someone available to closely observe the tactics of our opponents (if necessary by advance visits to various centres), and to advise as to tho introduction of frequent and effective chajiges in the style of play to be adopted by our own men. The committeo feel that they have chosen the best man available to fill iho bill.

"In conclusion, tho committee would point out that they have appointed Mr. Duncan ar. 'coach'; that the liability they would bo stibject to were they to cancel the appointment is such that they eanuofc accept; and that, therefore, in tho event of affiliated unions (through their delegates) deciding that r. 'coach' shall not Ik> sent, the committee havo no option but to take this docls:on as a vote of want of confidence, and to le-avo Ciie responsibility of canceling; the appointment to those who closiro to accept it."