HELPING INJURED RUGBY PLAYERS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 151, 22 March 1939, Page 13

HELPING INJURED RUGBY PLAYERS

Building Insurance Fund

ADDITION TO ADMISSION CHARGE SUGGESTED

A suggestion that an accident fund to pay injured players while off work be established by the making of a small surcharge on the admission fees to Rugby matches was received by. the committee of -the Eastbourne Rugby Club from the father of two players. The commit tee felt the suggestion worth the consideration of the Wellington Rugby Union. The writer of the letter stated: “I have two sons who played Rugby in Eastbourne last season. They wish to play again this year. Because of lack of insurance against injury and the fact that I, as a parent, mils' bear the financial loss in the event of partial or permament injury to either of my sons, I have no desire that they should play this year. I think it is time the Wellington Rugby Union did something to protect both players and parents from financial loss in the event of injury to a player. _I suggest that insofar as the public cheerfully pays an amusement tax to witness a match, it would as cheerfully pay a similar small amount, if it were advised that this small addition (say one penny) was to be used for the express purpose of maintaining injured players during the period of their incapacity. Funds so collected should provide for an adequate insurance policy to be operated by the union and covering all its players.” Members of the committee said that this letter was typical of the attitude of a number of parents. In a discussion of the union’s proposal to eliminate the senior B grade Mr. C. F. Houlton said that it was through the institution of this grade that Eastbourne and other clubs had gained senior status. The grade had provided a stepping-stone to the senior A ranks for several of the younger clubs and for that reason it might be wise to retain it. The matter was left to delegates to the annual meeting.

JOHNSONVILLE CLUB

Annual Meeting Held At the annual general meeting of the Johnsonville Rugby Football Club the president, Mr. A. A. Moore, presided over a large attendance of members and supporters. The following officers were elected for the 1939 season: President, Mr. A. A. Moore: vice-presidents, re-elected; club captain, Mr. A. Richardson; assistant club captain, Mr. R. Georgeson; secretary, Mr. E. Peryman; assistant secretary, Mr. G. James; management committee, Messrs. A. Kenny, E. Chaney, J. Renner, F. Jacobs, H. D. Morgan, M. Gillespie, D. Mason, R. Angell; delegates to Wellington Rugby Football Union, Messrs. Jacobs, Morgan, and Peryman; auditor, Mr. C. R. Richardson.

The annual report and statement of accounts was presented and on the motion of Mr. Jacobs, seconded by Mr. Morgan, was unanimously adopted. Considerable discussion then ensued on the question of insurance of players. It was finally decided that the circumstances of injured players should be considered on their merits as cases arose.

It was decided that the gymnasium should be opened for training as from today.