FOURTH GRADE RUGBY

Chronicle (Levin), 21 April 1949, Page 7

FOURTH GRADE RUGBY

Age Limit Provides Knotty Probiem For Union The age limit for players- in fourth grade rugby .teams is raisec from 18 to 18^ years as at May 1 bja decision of the Horownenua Rugcy Union's management commiotee at a meeting on Tuesdaj night. It was the result of discussion of a letter from the Horowhenua College seeking permission foi its team ro piay in the Wellington secondary school compeation. "xd wourd be very unfortunate ii this happened," declared the president, ivir. R. L. Rjbinson. "We want the college to p.ay within ouiboundaries." Mr. L. Mattar (Foxton) : Whai are the reasons for the request? Mr. A. V. Chappell (Horowhenua College) repued that there was m gxaue m ±1010 whenua to suit th. cofiege team. j.- nad ueen fairly evident in the college's appiication to the previ ous meeting of the comnnttee fo permission to play two boys ove rne age of 18 that L wanted 'tc keep rne first firteen as a college team, said Mr. C. E. Wiseiey (prim uiy schoois' representative), bu the union would not agree Lo thai He coul'd realise that to a degree the col.ege had been driven to thc course it now proposed because o. rne union's decision. Volte Face Suggested. Some time ago, continued Mr. Wise.ey, xhe couege had asked thx. union how it would view a requesto inc ude one or two players in its team who were over ihe age limit, and had been tord that favourablt c .nsideration womd be given. When the college had made appiication for this consideration in respect Ox two piayers the request was decnneci, at which time some members of the committee had saia that the age nrnit was fixed ana had to be adhered to. He added that some clubs had included players over the age limir in their teams, but at the college a close check was mahnained on ages and the limit observed. Ihe co.lege owed something to rugby in the district in which it was situated, proceeded Mr. Wiseiey, uut on the other hand the union owed something to the college for the type of football it was p.aying -and the comribution in players which it "was making tc ciuo teams. He then rnoved that the college be asked to -withfiraw its appiication and ■ that anyone at-tending'-the • college be allowed to p ay in the fourth grade team. It was seconded by Mr. A. Short (Wanderers) . "It is a serious matter and one which needs careful consideration," commente'd the president. 1 "We will have difficulty in our own clubs in keeping within the age limit, but if by adhering to them it is going to be detrimental to the game, then I think.we are going to do something which is entirely wrong. It would be detrimental to lose the college team," he added. He thought that if the molion was carried it would have repercussions," said Mr. R. Cochrane (Awahau) . Club Officials' Job. Mr. D. J. Oliver (Hui Mai) said he had proposed the age limit of 18 because he fe't it would suit the clubs. He was in favour of allowing the two college players already mentioned to play in the fourth grade competition to suit the college. Mr. Wiseiey 's suggestlon that players over the age limit were taking part in games was "start"ing." The union relied on club officials to see that. the limits were adhered to. He was prepared to agree to col-

lege havmg a concession in regard lo the two players provided other clubs received similar treatment, said Mr. F. Juno (Old Boys). He could not,' however, agree to any proposal by which. one team received an advantage at the expense of the others. At a previous meeting the committee had decided to treat each appiication on its merits, said the president. If it could be shown that the inclusion of any over age p'ayers in a .team would improve rugby in the district or save a team a request would receive favourable consideration. There was further animated discussion in which a rise in the' age limit to 184 years was suggested. Would Increase Penalty. Mr. Chappell said that if , a flat age limit at a fairly high figure was fixed, the union would only be incre'asing the penalty on the younger players throughout ' all c'ubs, while it would be no pefialty to the college. Whether or not the two players in question were1 al^wed to play, college victories wouM not be stopped. it was against the interests of the college team and the grade to have edsy Saturday matches. He still thought that the granting of a concession to_ c'ubs on the merits of individual ca'ses- provided the solution'. Mr. A. Watt (Rahui) then moved that the union rescind its previous decision to limit the age to 18. Fur'her, that the age be 184 years on May 1. It was seconded by Mr. J. A. Zuppicich (referees' . delegate) , Messrs Wiseiey and Short withdrew their motion and the one moved by Mr. Watt was then carried, Mr. Chappell dissenting. Mr. Wiseiey then moved that the cohege be asked to withdraw its j appiication and 'this was carried. 'I