RUGBY AFFAIRS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 91, 17 April 1930, Page 6

RUGBY AFFAIRS

A MATTER OF GRADES DELEGATE’S DECISION. A special meeting of delegates to the Wanganui Metropolitan Rugby Union was held in the Museum Hall on Tuesday evening to discuss recommendations from delegates and the Junior Advisory Board regarding third grade players and the question of instituting a sixth grade. The president of the Metropolitan Union, Mr. C. H. Warden, was in the chair, and there was an attendance of some fifty delegates. The recommendation concerning third grade players was that the rule be altered to read: “That a third grade player is any player being under the age of 21 yean on April 1,” etc. It was pointed out that some players remained in the third grade until they became practically 44 veterans” and this often meant that others would not come up from the lower grades because of the almost overwhelming strength of some third grade teams. After some discussion it was decided to alter the rule governing the grade to road as follows:—A third grade player is any player being under the age of 21 years of age on April 1 of the current year who has not played three or more times in higher competitions in the past or present year. This met with the approval of all delegates. The next recommendation was to the effect that a sixth grade be instituted, players to be under the age of 15 years on April 1. Mr. W. H. Gill, representing the Primary Schools’ Rugby Union, intimated that they were entirely in favour of the move, though they suggested that the fifth grade be divided into A and B grades. They agreed that the new grade would provide for many who were debarred by the age and weight limits from playing in the primary school competitions. A deligate from the Technical College stated that the fifth grade had meant a great deal to the Technical College and the sixth grade would encourage a large number now too young or too small for the fifth grade even. The proposal met with their approval and several teams from the Technical College would, it was felt certain, be entered for the competition. Speaking for the Wanganui Collegiate School, Mr. H. G. Carver stated that the sixth grade would be well supported by that institution, for they would have perhaps sixty or seventy boys under 15 who would take part in the matches in that grade Mr Warden supported the proposal and stated that, though there would not be very many from the primary schools for the new grade, it would be of great benefit to the secondary schools, who would be able to provide plenty of recruits. On being put to the meeting the proposal met with the unanimous support of delegates. It was decided that the rule on the subject should read as follows:—A sixth grade player is one under 15

years of age on April 1 of the current year who has not played three or more times in higher competitions in the past or present year. In view of the decisions made at the meeting it was decided that nominations for the various grades other than senior, in the Metropolitan Union’s competition be extended to Tuesday next, April 22,, at 5 p.m., so that further entries might be made by clubs if considered necessary.