HOCKEY.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18930, 27 April 1933, Page 10

HOCKEY.

WAIKATO ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING, l i A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. The annual meeting of the Waikato Hockey Association was held last evening, the president (Mr W. G. Fabling) presiding over a large attendance of delegates from Cambridge, Kaipalil, Old Boys, Ilinemoa, High School, Technical School, and Referees’ Association. The annual report and balance sheet, which were adopted, showed that the year had’been a most successful one, both from the playing and financial aspects. The report stated — The Game. During the past season the game has maintained steady progress and popularity throughout the Waikato. Principally through the agency of our representative players the association has become more widely known, and received a further recognition from the chief governing body, and enjoyed closer relations with kindred associations. Much of our prestige and popularity are due to the enterprise of your executive in making arrangements to send our representatives abroad; in the first instance sending a shield team to Canterbury, and last year the selection of our representatives In the New Zealand team to tour Australia. Two of our members — Messrs R. L. Munro and T. A. Ewan —were selected in the New Zealand J team that toured Australia. Mr Munro was elected captain of the New Zealand team, and both our representatives were selected in the test team, and gained distinction in many important features. The association wishes to congratulate Messrs Munro and Ewan on their splendid record in Australia. It is this policy of expansion and sending abroad our representatives that has been responsible for definitely placing Waikato on the map of the hockey world. Locally the game has maintained its siandard, and we arc pleased to note that the schools arc taking up the game with renewed activity; and this department of the game should receive every encouragement and support. Representative Matches. Our representatives played a shield challenge match with Auckland, at Auckland, but were defeated by four goals to nil. It was no disgrace to be defeated by such a team. Auckland gave a wonderfully clever and finished exposition of llic game, and last season were probably the strongest, team in the Dominion. A return match was plaved later fh the season at Hamilton' when the Auckland representatives again showed their superiority and were able to win with comparative ease. Our B representatives played a match with Tc Aroha at Morrinsville. Soven-a-Sldo. The'usual seven-a-side tournament was held on .tune 3, and was a most! interesting and successful fixture. I

Association Competitions, The local competitions were held as usual. In the senior grade large entries were received, but there was a falling away in the junior grade, and junior ho.ckey was not fully revived until close to the end of the season. Fortunately, 'Owing to the Technical School taking up the game, the prospects in.this, section are much more promising for the coming season. The Cambridge Club were the winners of the senior competition, and we congratulate the Cambridge team on their achievement, which is the more meritorious on account of its being their first season in senior hockey. The Hamilton High School team played in the usual series of matches for the Hooper Cup, and, while unsuccessful, they gave a very creditable display against- more experienced players. Standard of Play. Generally speaking the standard of play in the competitions was not of a high order, and not as high as it should he. The responsibility rests with the players. It is a matter of ■form, and form can only he attained by strict attention to training and regular practice. Finance. Reference to the balance sheet will show that our financial position Is sound. On our income very careful administration is required to meet our obligations. Our principal Item of expenditure is on the maintenance of grounds. We are fortunate to ha\c such grounds, and in the interests of the game it is imperative that we maintain these grounds in the best possible condition. Appreciation. We wish to thank the Domain Board for their general co-operation ami support in granting the grounds, and also for the further use of tho grounds during the coming season. Especially we wish to thank our secretary for the able manner in which lie has conducted the affairs of the association during the past season. In conclusion, we wish to thank our delegate on the New Zealand Association, Mr I. Gunn, for his able and sympathetic consideration of our affairs, and trust lie will he appointed to act for a further term. We wish to thank the Referees’ Association for their services throug.uout the season, and express our appreciation of their efforts, in the cause of the game. Our best thanks are due to the Press for their generous support during the season, appointing of representatives to report matches, and their fair and generous treatment of the game. We are very grateful to the officials of the St. John Ambulance Association who have attended our matches regularly throughout the season, and rendered valuable assistance to injured players. We thank all players and enthusiasts who have loyally supported ns through last season, and we look forward to a further term of increased interest and progress in the game. Walpa Sub-Association. We are pleased to record the-pro-gressive spirit of our sub-association. Last season they challenged for I He Xorden Gup and also for (lie White Horse Gup. hut in both fixtures they suffered' defeat. We understand, however, that their

I association Is keen, and carried out j the local competitions with enthusiasm and success. Election of Officers. ' The following officers were elected for the coming season:—Patron, Mr D. Stewart Reid; president, Mr W. G. Fabling; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Tait, R. Conradi, K. P. Eade; secretary and treasurer, Mr T. A. Ewan; hon. auditor, Mr R. J. H. Seal, A.P.A., N.Z.; delegate to N.Z.H.A., Mr I. Gunn (Christchurch) ; vice-president to N.Z.H.A., Mr W. G. Fabling; general committee, Messrs C. W. Chubb (Cambridge), J. Qraig (Walpa), G. W. Linder (Technical), A. 11. E. Richards (Pirates), J. M. Boyd (Ivaipaki), R. L. Munro (Ilinemoa), J. McKinnon (Old Boys), K. P. Eade (High School) and J. Tait (referees) and officers exofllcio. Opening of Season. It was decided to commence the competitions on Saturday, May 6, nominations for all grades to be in by Tuesday next. Grading of Teams. It was thought that It would be advisable to divide the teams into three grades if sufficient entries were forthcoming. A full discussion ensued and it was left to the management committee to deal with the matter. NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. (By Telcg-rapn.—rress Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. The annual meeting, of the New Zealand Hockey Association was held this evening. The following officers were elected: —Patron, the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe; president, Mr 11. S. J. Goodman; treasurer, Mr P. N. Quarlermain; secretary, Mr W. H. Down; management committee, Messrs R. Gracie, 11. Throp, A. F. Preston. S. G. Holland, C. Bellamy, I. Gunn and C. G. Holland; auditor, Mr A. P. Stewart. It was decided that the management committee lie recommended to consider favourably the holding of a Soulli Island tournament for associations and sub-associations this season and the holding of an inter-island match.