REFEREES FIRM STAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 97, 10 July 1946, Page 5

REFEREES FIRM STAND

SATURDAY'S RUGBY INCIDENT REFUSAL TO CONTROL GAMES A sequel to the deplorable incident on Saturday last, when - a local referee was manhandled by the crowd, was the prompt decision of the Whakatane Referees' Association, last Monday evening to refrain from refereeing any further games in the Union until such time as they :are given the fullest co-operation ' and support of the Rugby Union for the future control of the game. It was evident from the remarks -of members that the incident refers red to was not an isolated one, though it was obviously extreme, and that similar behaviour has been the cause of growing' consternation for a considerable time during the present season. The free use of foul language on the sideline and the growing number of occasions when players have off have all pointed to a lack of. control -amongst players and spectators alike.

The Association took an extremely serious view of the present position, undesirable incidents becoming more the rule than the, exception on recent Saturdays and it was decided to take a firm line of action in pressing for heavier penalties, and to demand the presence on the grounds of uniformed police officers in order to counteract misbehaviour amongst the spectators. Unless the recommendations going forward to the Union are given full effect .to no further games will be refereed in Whakatane district. They require the full backing of the Union and rightly claim that their attitude is purely and simply directed at improving the standard of rugby, in the interests of /players and spectators -alike.

A special sub-committee has been set up by the Association, which will meet after the extraordinary Union meeting, and decide upon the future attitude of the referees as a whole. A statement in this connection will appear in Friday's issue.

PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT SPECIAL UNION MEETING CONVENED In an interview yesterday with : a BEACON representative, the President of the Whakatane Rugby Union (Mr W. S. Henderson) said that whilst deploring the latest incident on the local football field, the Union had up till its last meeting always backed the referees up, and had imposed penalties on all offenders. At the last meeting unfortunately a more lenient attitude was adopted by the majority of delegates, and as in all democratically constituted bodies, the majority ruled.

Mr Henderson added that he had -personally convened a special meet.ing of the Rugby Union for Wednesday evening (this evening) in the -County Council Chambers, for the purpose of dealing with the matter, . and also of deciding upon the con- ■ duct of future rugby fixtures throughout the Union. He was determined to do everything possible to afford the Referees Association the greatest co-operation and support, in order that there should be no break in the grade fixtures which had now reached an interesting stage. However, he realised that this could only be done by restoring the confidence of the referees in the power of the Union to protect them from such incidents as occurred on Saturday, and he therefore appealed to all supporters of the game to combine in an effort to outlaw for the : fields all hooliganism and bad .sportsmanship.