"SOCCER" FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 164, 5 April 1919, Page 2

"SOCCER" FOOTBALL

PROFESSIONALISM BANNED

THE SEASON'S PROSPECTS

(By "Left-Wing.")

"Soccer" prospects for the coming season are 6aid to ba.'.xceedingly good, anil there is every indication of a very successful season. Old players are fast returning from the war. and at least two of tho older clubs—Brooklyn and Diamonds—have, re-formed, with every prospect of having good strong clubs again.' One of the oldest nnd best-known clubs— tlio Swifts—is holding' n meeting shortly with a view to re-forming, and entering into the forthcoming competitions. As every "Soccer" enthusiast, is aware, this club has done a great deal in furthering the interest of the game in New Zealand, and it is hoped that it will continuo to do s-o in the future. The annual report of the association indicated that the prospects for "Soccer were very bright, and if the management committee maintains its good wine and keeps an eye on the school teams, tie game will go ahead by leans and bounds. ' Tho position of the game, in Wellington especially, if not throughout: the whole of Now Zealand, at the present lime, is such that, the various control in? associations can afford to leave tlio older teams a little more to themselves and devote almost the whole of their attention to educating junior players and encouraging public interest. Interest was stimulated in "Soccer in New Zealand last season on account of the Brown Shield matches being resumed, and Canterbury was fortunate enough to retain the Shield. No doubt thcro will be more Brown Shield matches this season, all.of which will add interest to the game. . . . Team from Australia. There are -some prospeots of tho N.S.W. Association being invited to send a team to tour New Zealand during the forthcoming season. The whole question .mainly hinges on tho'point of finance, and also upon the prevailing conditions.. However, it is hoped tliat this venture can be successfully arranged, as it would do much to further the game in New Zealand. A Team from England?. The Otago Association is, it is understood, formulating a resolutipn to the New Zealand Association witli a view to securing a. visit of an English representative. team to the colonies next season. The idea is excellent, but.it is rightly considered that such a movo during the present unsettled conditions would result in a financial loss. Transport facilities are difficult, and the fares are almost prohibitive for such a venture. In this connection it is interesting to note that one of the leading lights in "Soccer" in New Zealand, Lieut.-Colonel Courtney, is now on his. way to the Old Country, and as ho has full authority to make any suggestions to the Football Association "respecting touring *eams. oi any other matters, some interesting jnformation can be anticipated in tho near future. It is also probable that another prominent member of the N.Z. Association will be going Home very shortly, and he intends to make a. very s'rong endenvour to get a team sent out to tour Australasia. Agajrist Professionalism. Information . has come to hand that tho Football Association, at Home has decided against professionalism. While there aro practically no details available as to this decision, it will bo interesting to see how this big change is going to affect "Soccer" football in the future. It should mean a strengthening- of the association in sending a team to tour Australia and New Zealand. Local "Soccer." .. In connection with the game in Wellington mention must lie made of the ■excellent- work which Mr. A. 6. Wellj has'-dona for, local football during the past few; years; whilst he was acting as : chairman .to' the; local, association. Undoubtedly :he .will ■be missed ; pu the. committee,but' it is- pleasing to note that he is to act-as'chairmaii'.of the grounds at' South Kilbimie during the absence of Lieut-Colonel Courtney. In Hhis connection it is pleasing to note also that 3lr. if. L. Godber is again taking up active work for the Wellington Association. He has always been a most active and untiring, worker, and it is really a Treat pity that more of the older enthusiasts arc not on the committee. The local' association's balance-sheet shows that the finances arc better than they have been .for a few years, Iho association missed a great opportunity last season by not doing equally as well as the Rugby Union did. '1 In: association had the chance, but unfortunately missed it. Juniors and Schools. There is still a lot of work ahead of the association in encouraging junior players and fostering the game in the ' schools. Already much has been done in this direction, but it is felt that by further effort a great deal more enthiisiasm for the game could bo obtained from the schools. During the approaching sewn ejtorta will no.doubt he directed to the matter of getting the schools to tako up the game thorough!}, and it is ho;»?cl that before long some ] ve.ry strong teams will figure amongst the juniors. '