COLTS’ CONTESTS APPROVED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29497, 26 April 1961, Page 17

COLTS’ CONTESTS APPROVED

Canterbury As First Venue “The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, April 23. The formation of two annual inter-district colts' tournaments was unanimously approved by the delegates to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Hockey Association on Monday. The tournaments will be restricted to players who have left school but are under 30 on August 31 of each year. One tournament will be In each Island, with the provision that for the purpose of evening the standard in each group, Wellington will play in the southern tournament. Each contest, of three days’ duration. will be played for by five teams whose competition shall be static from year to year, as follows: Northern Zone: 1, Auckland City; 2, Auckland Country; 3, Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay; 4, Taranaki - Wanganui . Horowhenua; 3. Manawatu-Walra-rapa. Southern Zone: 1. Wellington; 2, Canterbury: 3. Otago; 4. Smith Cup districts (Southland. South Canterbury. Ashburton. Gore, North Otago); 3. Maadl Cup districts (Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Buller). Discussion took place on whether the winners of the two tournaments should be given a play-off. but it was decided to match selected elevens from the two tournaments as a curtain-raiser to the annual inter-ialand fixture. Canterbury and Auckland were asked to hold the inaugural tournaments this season. and two shields .one presented by the Indian Wanderers’ tourists and the other by the visiting Pakistan side, were allocated to the tournaments. The Whangarel Hockey Association is prepared to relinquish the Norden Cup, for minor associations, it has held for two seasons, as it can be given a challenge against Canterbury for the New Zealand Challenge Shield. New Zealand rules state that no association can play tor both trophies in one season.