SPOTLIGHT ON SPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 57, 18 June 1948, Page 5

SPOTLIGHT ON SPORT

Large Attendance At Primary School Rugby Union Meeting At Matata

Delegates from Tauranga, Te Puke, Rangitaiki, Whakatane, Rotorua and Opotiki gathered at Matata for the annual meeting of the Bay of Plenty Primary Schools Rugby Union last Saturday. The president, Mr E. Naumann, of Rangitaiki, in his report traced the progress of the Union from its inaugural meeting last year and reviewed the work of last’ season. He mentioned the great success of the Tai Mitchell Shield movement held at Tauranga last year and congratulated Rotorua on its wellmerited win. The Union had already accomplished much for Primary School Rugby, and he looked forward to still further progress in the future. It was receiving every assistance from its parent body, the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, on which it was now represented with a seat on the Executive. Assistance was also received from the Rugby SubUnicns. Opotiki delegates reported that they had recently been given representation on the Opotiki Sub-Union, thus completing Primary representation on all Sub-Unions throughout the Bay. Rotorua delegates spoke of the financial help given by the Rotorua Sub-Union and of its interest in Primary School Rugby. Mr P. Bryers, Whakatane, reported on his attendance as delegate to the Roller Mills Shield meeting held recently in Auckland. The matter of the Bay Primary Schools' participation in this tournament was fully discussed, but decision was held over until further particulars of conditions had been rec eived. It was decided that Rotorua’s offer to hold the Tai Mitchell Shield Tourney in Rotorua was accepted. Entries were received from Rotorua, Tauranga, Te Puke, Rangitaiki, Whakatane and Opotiki.' The tourney • will be held in the first week of the August Term Holidays. Teams will travel to Rotorua on the Monday and commence play on Tuesday, finishing on Thursday. Mr D. Alexander, Rotorua, .made reference to the enthusiasm and work for Primary School Rugby of the late Mr F. Sheerin, Opotiki delegate in 1947. The Union expressed its sympathy with his widow and family. Election of officers for 1948 follows: Patron, Mr Henderson; president of Rotorua Sub-Union, president Mr Eric Naumann, Rangitaiki, vice-presidents, the presidents of all Primary Rugby Sub-Unions; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. C. Ward, Tauranga; , committee, president* secretary and Messrs P. Bryers and C. Oliver, Whakatane, D. Alexander and R. Shutt Rotorua, T. Fuller and S. Pyne Opotiki, G. Richardson and Merry Te Puke, Mr G. Stunnell, Galatea.

Rotorua-Rangitaiki Elimination For Hnrunui Shield To Be At Matata

A meeting of the Rangitaiki Rugby Union was held at Edgecumbe on Monday. Mr Robins, President of the Sub-Union, referred to the loss to Rangitaiki by the death of one of its two /women vice-presidents, Mrs Orini Anderson, and paid tribute to her enthusiasm for football and her generous help to clubs and players. The meeting stood in silence for a moment as a token of respect. A letter of sympathy is to be sent to Mr H. Anderson and family. It was arranged that the RotcruaRangitaiki elimination match for the Hurunui Shield be played at Matata on July 3. In • order to benefit Primary School Rugby, the Union decided to subsidise the New Zealand Rugby Union’s grant for school football and hand it to the Rangitaiki Primary Schools Rugby Union for use in the interest of furthering Rugby in schools. Rangitaiki Senior team is to play Te Puke at Matata on Sunday, June 20 in a friendly match subject to arrangements being finalised. Some members drew attention to the fact that some players’ boot sprigs did not conform with the regulations. Referees are now to make regular inspections. Messrs T. Anderson and E. Naumann were appointed managers of the A team to "play Galatea. Messrs IVI. Burt and R. Fergusson and Kaipara, be managers of the Junior team. The nomination of Maori players for the team to tour Fiji was left to the selectors.