ASSOCIATION BOY FOOTBALLERS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18419, 27 June 1925, Page 17

ASSOCIATION BOY FOOTBALLERS.

TO THF. EDITOR OF "TllZ TRESS. ' i Sir.—Quito the bicgest piohleni m football concerning the youth of New Zealand and the nation is that of the hnys between the ages of fourteen and. sny, eighteen. It is a question which is asma-tiug tho Cantcrbiirv Football Association."" and in fart the C-antcrbury Rugby Vninn senior football with. i'- s j various i-ompetitions. The Lcagu" 1 [ English Ctip-tie, Brown Shield.:ctr.. thoroughly and well organised »<> al=o is the other schoolboy football, but what about the adolescent ages? It is a question that has baffled those who have endeavoured to eopo with.'., it. Indeed I am not quite sure that tho-at-tempt has been verv seriously made by the C.F.A. Rather'docs it appear that it'.has been shelved, firstly because there are no wiliiiK: helpers: .secondly becau*-? of tho many difficulties invohed. It is a ease of harvest in plenty, hut the, labourers pre few. Tnsonio.resn.iet* this is understandable.' The schoolboy footballer commands attraction, because of the intei;est of fond parents and other relatives Viii tho football potentialities of the youngsters. AYhere the schoolmasters arc keen on developing body as well as mind, football nlays an important part in.the boy's life. I often wonder what becomes of promising boy .Soceeritcs when they leave school, it is almost as mysterious aa the . problem about flic?; and -winter. Generally speaking, hoys of this age have not much money, whereas, when youths get beyond eighteen, they can. club together and by weekly subscription manage to run a club of their own. Boys of that age. too. can .attract a fair amount "f .support and patronage. Thus, to some extent they can.be left to their own methods of finding facilities to enjoy their favourite game. How, then can something be.done for tho lads between fourteen and eighteen? Boys of that age present a problem to their parents and to- tho civil authorities. It is the stage- of life when .character.fakes' a definite shape.. Organising boy footballers is a difficult and often "thankless job. hut I am certain that it -would be for the general good of the nation and the great game of Soccer if sufficient good fellows could bo induced to take it up. Most of our senior clubs have supporters, and' it seems to me-that combined efforts on their part could-do much good, - and. 1 am suro any riiovement on -these .1. j lies .'would, bear-fruit 'and amply repay .'those ; who. devoted their time "and- <:nergie? to it.-rrYours, etc.-, -■■•• : P.L. DAVIIiSi June 2G11t.-