ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1449, 25 May 1912, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

[Bt "Centre-Hilf."l GOOD NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.' Like Corot's Picture of "The Sower." Corot's famous picture, "The Sower," has a counterpart in what is taking place in Now Zealand. Wo aro sowing the g-nme, and,, without a scintilla of doubt, it is growing. From all parts of tho Dominion come reports stating that new teams, clubs, and associations are iwiMjf formed. With the object of nscertaming exactly haw the game is progressing Aovrn south "Centrc-Hnlf" visited Canterbury, Otago, and Southland recently, and fount! that that which has been reported is correct. School and junior football is what southern associations are particularly turning their attention towards this season. It seems to be seed sown in good soil. The- players aro there, but difficulty has been experienced in finding grounds for them. Another question that is occupying the minds ot southern management committees is the question of referees, s This was particularly noticeable jn Canterbury and Southland. Otago was not so badly off in this direction, but they stated that they could do with more "whistle-blowers" also.

■A pleasing feature marking the growth of the game was the noticeable increase in the attendances of tho publio at most cf the matches. As a rule the stylo of play adopted by the boys' teams was good, and it is anticipated that in future—near or remote, who can sayp— New Zealand -will be able to hold her own with tho best that the Mother Country can produce. Perhaps this is "talking big," but that is the way it hits the soccer prophet in the back of the mind. The Game in Southland, Taking 'Southland, for instance. While in Invercargill the secretary of the Southland' Football 'Association told "Centre-Half" that they would have at least sis schoolboys' teams playing the game in Southland this season. It was the management committee's intentkm to foster the game amongst the junior divisions also. They were endeavouring to find a suitable coach who could devote his time to training schoolboys and juniors, and on- the day on which "Centre-Half" was being "shown round the town," a man was found who would fit tho bill admirably.

With the intention of sending in a challenge for the Brown Shield, tlie Southland control had taken a lease of the Y.M.C.A. gymnasium for two nights a week,, and the prospective members of the touring team were about to go in for "the real thing" in training. In order to bo ready for the future also, the committee had taken a lease of tho Agricultural Show Grounds for a term of years. Prospects? "Oh," said the Southland * man, "they're bright—very bright, indeed!" The next remark will no doubt bo a sad one for some. "The new president of the Southland Football Association," said my informant, "was president of the Rugby Union lost year." Otago's Best Foot Forward. Then came Dunedin. In answer to a question as to how the game was going, the secretary (Mr. Anderson) replied: "Booming." _ Here again the schoolboys are being "collared." Mostly when there ie a ball about in Dunedin schools it is a round one. Much interest was taken in tho matches, and the Management Committee of the Otago Football Association appeared to be a live body. Further north, "Centre Half" found .that the question of forming a- Eub-asso-ciation at Tinmru was under consideration. It has since been settled that Timaru and district ore to form a separate association, and last evening at the Association meeting of the New Zealand Football Association this body was gxant- ] ed affiliation.

Otago people seem to be keen to obtain Eossession ot the coveted top honour, and ave decided to enter a challenge for the Brown Shield. There was some talk of playing boys' representative matches with Southland, and other associations and the youngsters were looking forward to the time when travelling would commence, Canterbury and Her School Teams, Coming to Canterbury, similar condition of growth exists. Though there were practically no school teams in existence last year, there are now no fewer than eight teams in the arena. Junior teams, too, are to the fore this year also. Taking it all round, there is much prospect of a very successful season lying ahead of Canterbury. This province holds the Brown Shield, and present indications point to at least three matches being played there this year—that is if they manage to withstand the first two onslaughts. Wellington has the first challenge in so far, but Southland and Otago are going to do battle in the lists for the trophy also. Disqualified for Life. The Management Committee of the Wellington Football Association deserve great honour for the strong decided manner in which they have dealt with a very objectionable case in which a player named S. Bolton, of the Petone Club, was found guilty of certain misconduct, both on and off the field of play on Saturday, May 11. After hearing evidence, the committee decided to disqualify Bolton for life, and to warn him off all grounds under the jurisdiction of tho Wellington Football Association.

Of late we have been free from exhibitions ef this sort, but there is evidence of a kind of looseness creeping in amongst players, despite referees endeavours k> put a stop to reprehensible practices. '.The sentence passed upon Bolton will no doubt have a 6alutary effect.

Last Saturday—Worse than Amundsen. Despite the bleak southerly and rain squalls, which wrapped the city- in a shaggy mantle, laet Saturday several teams journeyed to Miramar and played. Such spirit is encouraging, and the players who did turn out deserve to be complimented. Thero is, however, one thing that should be brought up for discussion at tho next meeting of the Management Committee, and that is the question of dressing accommodation at Miramar. Really it was a shame to see players undressing and dressing in the open—and on such a day. It was cold enough to bo sure, but later the rain came, and clothes which were of necessity left alongside fences, etc., got tho full benefit of it. It has been-suggested thaftho Association should erect an iron shed in some central portion of the grounds at Miramar, and thus afford players some degree of comfort. Of course the question of expense will naturally arise, but seeing that the new ground at Kilbirnie has to be fenced, could not the iron be .utilised for this or eome other likely purpose when the time comes?