ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1836, 23 August 1913, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

(Bi Centre-Hut.) SUCCESSFUL CLUB'S STORY. Started in ISOS. One of the most successful Association clubs at present existing in Wellington is that of the Y.M.C.A. Boys' Department, which has had a marked success in 4 the junior competitions during the last 'few years. The club owes much of its success to the keen interest and to the generosity of tis president, Mr. J. H. Worboys, headmaster of the Kilbimie School. The club, started its. career eight years ago (in March, 1905) when a fourth-class team was entered, under the control of Mr. B. K. Hills. Tho team, a weak one, suffered some terrible defeats, .10-to nil aiid 13 to nil being amongst'other scores. Edgar Phillips, present club captain- of the senior team, scored the .first goal for the club. In 1906 Mr. Geo, Adair, at present in chargo of the Auckland Y.M.C.A. Boys' Department of over '300 members, came on tho scene, and the club immediately" started to move forward and play began to improve. A fifth-grade team was entered this year in addition to the fourth, and it ran into second place in the championship.

The year 1907 saw anothor team added, a fourth-class B team. The fifth-grade, under the tuition of Mr. Geo. Adair, had tho honour of winning tho first cup for the club, ■ with an unbeaten record, only two goals being scored against them, both penalties. Hollis, at present the Y.M.C.A. senior goalkeeper, and this years lepresentative player, was between the posts for this team. In this season; the Fourth A were runners-up in the Charity Cup contest, won by Swifts,. after three matches had been played to decide it, the first two were drawn, the scores being 2 all, after the extra twenty- minutes had 'been placed, and the final I—o in favour of Swifts. Six teams were entered in 1908, three fourth and three fifth. The fourthgrade championship and Charity Cup were, won by the 'Fourth A, while the' Fifth A were runners-up.

The year 1909 sajv fire teams wearing the club's colours, two in the fourth, two in'i'the Fifth A, and "one in the Fifth B grade. The club were runners-up in the Fourth Division championship and Charity Cup, in the Fifth Division A grade, and third in the B grade. Mr. Mears, an enthusiastic "soccer" coach, became associated with Mr. Adair during this year and acted as. secretary to the club as well as assisting in tiie coaching. Five boys were chosen from the Fifth A team to represent Wellington against Otago.

A Record Season—l9lo.. The record season of the club started with the season 1910, Messrs. Adair and Hears sparing neither time nor energy to make things go. Coaching this year was reduced to a fine art, each team having instruction in the gymnasium, as well .as outside practice two afternoons a week. The results were astonishing. The Fourth A won the championship and Charity Cup, unbeaten. The Fifth A carried off the Fifth Division championship unbeaten, with only two goals scored against them. The Fifth B won their championship unbeaten, and the Sixth Di- , vision were runners-up—really a fine performance. ' Seven boys out of eleven in the Fifth Division were chosen for representative honours'in the A and B touring teams. . V Seven teams were wearing the "tiger stripes" in 1911, two Fourth, two Fifth, and three Sixth Division teams. The Sixth Division A team carred off' the Sixth Division championship and also defeated a Sixth Division representative team, - while the Fourth Division were runners-up in both the championship and Charity Cup Competitions. This season the club had the misforttrae to lose the services of Mr. Adair who went-to Auckland, and his loss.'was keen- N ly felt. Two Fourth and two Fifth Division players were successful in getting into the representative team during the season. Since Mr. Adair's departure Mr. Mea'rs has acted as club coach. Wonderful Results in 1912. In 1912 the club entered six teams, two Fourth, two Fifth, and two Sixth Division teams. The Sixth A team'won the Sixth Division championship, jinbeaten, putting up a club record, playing thirteen matches and scoring 65. goals against 1. The team was a splendid all-round combination, each boy in it being exceptionally good and the defence So sound that the goalkeeper had' nothing to do all throilgh tho season. The Fourth Division won the Charity Cub and were leading for the Fourth Division championship when, owing to the lateness of the season, the W.F.A. deemed it necessary to close the competition without playing it to Q> finish. This present season's club has five teams entered imder the Wellington Football Association's auspices, and so far all have acquitted themselves creditably. Outside Matches. The boys have been well for in the matter of outsido matches. The Fourth Division team, in 1912, journeyed to Auckland and played a match against ■the Y.JI.C.A. of that city. Last Easter, a return match was played at Newtown Park. This fixture is an annual one. Tho Fourth Division team in 1912 also visited Burnham and Christchurch, playing matches there. It is_ most likely a team will also pay a visit to Blenheim this year, and there will be the annual match next Easter at Auckland.

It is interesting to note that this year's Third Division team, at present leading in the championship, is composed, with the oxception of one player, of boys who have como through tho boys' teams, mostly starting in the lowest teams, and will no doubt in the near future find a place in the senior team, which at present is composed mainly of men who woro once boys in tho boys' teams. This is in itself high commendation of tho usefulness of the boys' club.

Not only does the club teach "soccer," but it endeavours to inculcato into its members principles which in tho near future, will help them to become capablo and useful citirans as well as good players under Association ruloa,