SOCCER IN ENGLAND.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19675, 7 September 1935, Page 20 (Supplement)

SOCCER IN ENGLAND.

FOSTERING GAME IN SCHOOLS. GROWTH OF RUGBY. COACHING SCHEME PROPOSED. • The Football Association of England is perturbed by the continued decrease of popularity of I lie Association game at public and secondary schools, which is I lie direct result of ■more and more schools having “gone over" to the Rugby code. II has decided to appoint a committee to consider how the game may by fostered and improved in the whole of schools and junior grades. With ample funds, the Football Association may decide to finance coaching on a large scale, a scheme which would give employment to a number of professionals.

Discussing the decision to appoint a committee, Sir Frederick Wall, secretary of the Football Association, said recently: “This Is not a hasty decision. We have watched the progress of football among boys for years, and seven years ago we launched a scheme for the formation of leagues for boys between the ages of 14 and 18—the years when they might drift from football for lack of opportunity. “For that purpose we make grants to country associations up to Jiso a year. The- committee to be formed may come lo the conclusion that there is more work to be done here, and that further expenditure is wise. “We may divide the schools into three classes —elementary, secondary, and the public schools. It may be doubted whether elementary schools football needs instructional aid. Jt is nourishing. In many cases the masters, are old players who teach enthusiastically Ihe art of football*

“The secondary schools arc lending t,o follow I lie lead of the public schools in turning lo Rugby. Here lies the worst problem. “Eight years ago we addressed a letter lo the Head Masters’ Conference, pointing out the desirability of public schoolboys taking part in this democratic game.. “We used to have old boys in our International teams. Whether they would consider it as great an honour to play for England to-day as was the case years ago I do not know. But the opportunity is not there.” To the absence of old-boy talent the present plight of the Corinthian F.C. is largely attributed. An official of the club told me recently (comments a writer in a London paper) that he was amazed at times by the lack of knowledge of the fundamentals of the game among boys leaving the public schools. The Football Association would willingly, r believe, co-operate to the extent of supplying couches; but the public schools could puy l'or coaches themselves if they were willing to employ them. The plea of lT.tr> having apparently fallen on slony ground, Ihe Football Association’s next step is not easy lo foresee.

The Football Association, I gather, is uol, actuated by snobbish ideas, nor does it wish lo appear as a rival to the. Rugby Union code, in ils desire lo see its game re-cslahlished at the public schools. In Ihe meantime, Rugby nmtimies to spread among the schools. Thu march goes on. it is going lo he difficult to slop.