ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 229, 15 June 1918, Page 2

ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL REPORT OP N.Z. ASSOCIATION. The annual report of t'lio New Zealand Football Association, to bo presented at tlio annual meeting, states that the game throughout New Zealand has been confined to players of 20 years of age and under. "It is," savs the report, "very encouraging to noto that boys' football in the chief centres and also in other parts of New Zealand continues to progress both in tho number of boys taking pnrt and also in tho standard of pky. -The council eniplinsises the necessity of giving every encouragement to this class of -football, because it is obvious that the boy of to-day becomes the man of to-morrow; and i there can be no doubt that when conditions once more become normal, there will be many gaps in the ranks of the senior players. The council considers that the present time is particularly opportune to endeavour to gain an entrance for tho game in,the secondary sohools of the Dominion, and therefore ntges nil local associations to redouble their efforts in this direction.

"Tlie Association has suffered a fireat loss owinpr to the lion, secretary Qtt. 8, L. Salmon) having been called up for military service. Mr. Salmon has held tlio position with credit for many yearSi and no one, during his term of office, has done more than he in advancing the Kfime. He carries with him in his more important sphere of usefulness, tho best wishes of all friends of football in the Dominion. The council (in common no doubt with all supporters of the game) recognises that the disadvantage under 'which the sport has laboured since 19M is more than outweighed by the general and spontaneous response mnde by playOTS tlirmighoitt Now Zealand to tho call of duty which will be a source of pride ' and inspiration to all future generations of players."