MORE ASSISTANCE WANTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ RUGBY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 58, 19 June 1950, Page 5

MORE ASSISTANCE WANTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ RUGBY

Greater financial assistance than that at present received from adult unions was warranted it was considered by delegates attending the annual meeting of the Bay of Plenty Primary Schools’ Rugby Union at Whakatane. Little could be done on the present grants. The annual tournament, which is this year to be held at Opotiki, and the financial obligation's attached to it were the subject of considerable discussion at the meeting. Codes Compared

One delegate stated that at a recent tournament in Taranaki players were expected to provide all the necessary equipment and finance whereas another code which conducted a tournament in the same town at the same time, provided all players with jerseys, and other equipment and even with spending money. Another delegate considered that the amount allotted by the N.Z.R.U. to school football was only onetenth that which should be given. The meeting authorised its delegate to seek an additional grant towards tournament expenses. Mr T. Fuller (Opotiki) reported that his sub-union had the question of arrangements for the tournament well in hand, including . billeting. At present signs were very encouraging. Six tournament teams would compete for the Tai Mitchell and Foynton Shields, conditions for which are that boys must be under fifteen on the first of August and not over 8 stone 71bs. Teams are to be limited to a maximum of eighteen players. The annual match between the Bay of Plenty Primary Schools’ representatives and the Thames Valley representatives was tentatively set down for September and the Bay union is to be approached to see if the boys can play as a curtain raiser to a big match. The venue of the match was left to the discretion of the delegate. Loss to Union Mr Alexander mentioned the loss suffered by the union by the transfers of Messrs J. C. Ward and Naumann who had been the prime movers in the formation of the union and the meeting decided to write thanking them for the work they had done in the interests of primary school football in the Bay of Plenty. The following delegates were present: Messrs D. Alexander, M. Dudley (Rotorua), P. A. Demsem, A. J. Denby (Tauranga), L. Forbes, A. J. Thompson, K. McClelland (Rangitaiki), T. Fuller, J. R. Archibald (Opotiki), C. Oliver and Al H. Fryer-Raisher (Whakatane). The following officers were elected.—Patron, Mr D. Majoribanks Opotiki); president, Mr D. Alexander (Rotorua); vice-presidents, Messrs F. Pinfold (Tauranga) and M. Dudley (Rotorua); secretary, Mr M. Dudley; committee, two delegates from each sub-union; delegate to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, Mr K. McClelland (Rangitaiki).