CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB

New Zealand Tablet, 8 April 1920, Page 22

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB

. 23m ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Christian Brothers’ Association Football Club, held a few evenings ago in the Assembly Hall of the school, was attended by about 60 members. Rev. Brother Bowler, Director of the Christian Brothers’ School, presided, and Rev. Father Ardagh was among those present. In extending a cordial welcome to a number of members who had returned from active service, the chairman said the teachers of the school were always happy to sec the old hoys around them, and now, that having done their best,- at the war he hoped they would do likewise for their school. He congratulated all present on the excellent attendance, a tact which would give great heart to the club. He extended a hearty welcome also to Father Ardagh, one of the club’s vice-presi-dents, whose practical interest in the school and its workings was very highly appreciated. Brother Bowler intimated that in a few weeks he hoped to see inaugurated an “Old Boys’” Association in connection with the school. Mr. AV. Fox, in acting as secretary for the meeting, read the following report; Your committee has much pleasure in being able to record a fairly successful season. At the commencement of the year’s activities, the membership, which had fallen to a low ebb during the war period, showed such a distinct increase as to warrant entering a team in each or the four grades of the cup competitions. The first and second grade teams performed disappointingly, and both occupied poor positions in the championship tables of their respective grades. Their poor showing pan, to some degree, be attributed to the unprecedently largo number, of minor accidents met with on the field, thus bringing about frequent changes in the personnel of these two teams. Tho third grade eleven put up a really fine performance, and after a particularly keen competition succeeded in winning the third grade cup. They played 15 matches—won 10, drew 3, lost 2—and are to be complimented not only on the success achieved but on the high standard of play displayed right through the season. The fourth grade team also performed well. They played 15 matches—won 10, drew 3, lost 4—and ' followed close on the heels of the runners-up in their competition. The success of the school teams was again a source of pleasure and encouragement. They were winners of A and B grade cups: also securing the five-a-side medals for the same grades, and were runners-up in the C grade competition. To mark these brilliant successes, >out committee, at the conclusion of the season, entertained the six school teams at a social function. The evening was a distinct success in every way and was greatly enjoyed by the boys. An analysis of the statement of expenditure and income for the past year shows the financial position of the club to .be satisfactorythere being a credit balance of £lO 18s 3d. The prospects for the coining season can, we think, be stamped as very promising. Many of our members who have been on active service have, since the closing of last season, returned to the Dominion, and we feel confident that the players will once again resume active associations with the club. As we understand that the x present secretary and treasurer (Air. AA . Kennedy) will not accept re-election, we take this opportunity of placing on record our appreciation of the very capable and thorough manner in which be has filled the position. The thanks of the club are due to Messrs. B. Connor and J. Keenan for their services as coaches; to the Cathedral clergy and Christian Brothers for the keen interest taken in the welfare of the chib; to our office-bearers for donations; to the Referees Club, and to the press.

In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman congratulated the retiring secretary (Mr. AY. Kennedy) on his splendid work in the interests of the club, as revealed in the report and statement of accounts, the sound condition of the finances being most creditable and encouraging. It was gratifying, also, to record the exemplary conduct of members, both on and off the field, and in this regard he could truthfully repeat what others had asserted, that they were on top. In commenting on the season's activities he said it was a matter of wonder that their senior team did not achieve a larger measure of success. The junior teams invariably performed well, so that he hoped to see a big improvement in the standard of play of the seniors during the coming season. It would, he thought, he an excellent thing if annual home-and-home matches could be arranged with, Brothers' teams in the other centres. He hoped to see the first of these games inaugurated this year. ;i . . n

. In seconding the adoption of the report,, Father Ardagh congratulated the , office-bearers, committee, and players oh last season's results. • . • ''':!'.J%.'f' election of office-bearers resulted as follows:Patron, Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm.; president, Rev. Brother Bowler; vice-presidents—Rev. Fathers Ardagb, Liston,' Kaveney, Rooney, Graham, Morkane, Collins, Delany, Silk, and Lynch, Rev. Brothers O'Doherty, Higgins, Fanning, and "'Murphy, Messrs. J. A. Brown E O'Connell, L. F. Casey, J. P. Dunn, B. Connor, W. Heffernan, H. Coughlan, M. Coughlan, J. J. Wilson G Wakelin, J. Hally, T. P. Laffey, A. McCaugh'an, A. Brown, J. Moloney, and A. Cameron; secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. L'Estrange; general committee—Messrs. D. Keys, J. Newman, G. Brown, T. Cassidy, and P W. Spiers; club captain, Mr. D. Keys," delegates to O F A Messrs. J. P. Dunn and B. Connor; grading committee —Messrs. D. Keys, J. Newman, and E. Collins: practice captains, Messrs. W. Carter and G. Brown; auditors Messrs. V. Sheehy and W. Kennedy. The opening day was fixed for April 10. Twenty-four new members were elected.