Turton Again Applies For League Clearance

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30979, 8 February 1966, Page 19

Turton Again Applies For League Clearance

The former Canterbury, South Island and New Zealand trialist Rugby League player, R. H. Turton, has again applied for a clearance to play in Australia.

The Canterbury board of control received the application at its meeting last evening. The board decided to write to Turton, informing him of the rules governing clearances to play overseas. If Turton, can assure the board that he can comply with the rule's the board will forward his application—along with his clearance from the Christchurch club—to the New Zealand council. Turton said in his letter that he had previously applied in 1963. He was still unsure whether he would be going to Australia. He represented South Island three times and Canterbury for nearly a decade, first as a back and then as a forward. He is 31 years old. Full Cycle

decided by the incoming board. Senior Squad It was decided against selecting a training squad of about 30 players to train for the first representative fixture against Bathurst (Australia). Instead all senir players have been given the opportunity to attend gymnasium training. Grades for 1966 An extra grade, under 17. will be added to the 1966 competitions. The board decided last evening to call nominations for senior, senior reserve, third grade, under 18, under 17 and under 16 grades.

All senior Rugby League players are invited to attend trainings sessions beginning Tuesday, February 15, at the Bryndwr Y.M.CA., Greers road, from 5.30 p.m. until 7.30 p.m. The sessions will be held weekly. —Advt.

Mr L. R. Huston asked whether or not the council was granting clearances only to Kiwis who had played a full cycle of international matches. The chairman (Mr D. C. Wilson) said that if the Canterbury selectors no longer required Turton the council may grant his application. Mr W. A. Whitehead: Could we ask the selectors? Mr Wilson said that if Canterbury does not require Turton the application should be forwarded to the council who would ask the national selectors whether he was required.

A motion that the board consider forwarding the application to the council after getting the necessary requirements from the Canterbury selectors was moved by Mr R. K. Andrews. Mr Huston said that one of the council’s rules was that the player prove domicile in Australia. The secretary (Mr D. G. Gaynor) said that a player could be granted a provisionary clearance before he leaves New Zealand. An amendment that Turton be acquainted with the rules governing transfers was then successfully moved by Mr E. G. Blazey. Senior Application A letter from the secretary of the Shirley Club (Mr S. R. Amer) applying for senior status for his club this season was noted. The application will be added to the nominations for senior grading and the constitution of the senior grade would be