ASSOCIATION CODE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1941, Page 5

ASSOCIATION CODE

JUBILEE MEETING

MANY DIFFICULTIES AHEAD

In common with the controllers of other sports, the Wellington Football Association will have many difficulties with which to contend in the coming season because of the war. With those problems in mind, the fiftieth annual meeting of the association last evening placed in the hands of the incoming management committee all competitions from the third grade upwards. It was also resolved, as a recommendation, that there be no promotions or relegations during the season.

The president of the association, Mr. J. J. Roberts, was in the chair. Moving the adoption of the fiftieth annual report, he said last season had been very successful indeed, and although there had been a slight financial loss that was a secondary consideration. The outstanding achievement had been that of Waterside, who had won the Chatham Cup for the third time in succession. Waterside players had also been largely instrumental in bringing the English Trophy to Wellington.

There was no doubt that the association would have a very hard row to hoe in the coming season, but it was up to all clubs to do their best to keep the flag flying. There was no need tobe despondent; although a difficulty would be the loss of players joining the Forces, there were younger players coming along who would keep up the standard of football. It was the duty of the association to keep those younger players in action.

Mi\ J. Meltzer, chairman of committees, who seconded the motion, said that but for the entertainment provided by players on Saturdays the association would not be able to function, and the management committee was deeply grateful for the co-opera-tion it had received from every club last season.

It was the fiftieth annual meeting, and but for the period of war, during which football had to take a back seat, the occasion would have called for celebration. Reference must be made, however, to the wonderful work that had been done for the game by the pioneers, three of whom—Messrs. J. J. Roberts, W. Duncan, and W. Hicks— were present.

The future activities of the association, said Mr. Meltzer, would cause a good deal of concern to the incoming management committee. The difficulties to overcome were many—the absence of prominent players, grounds, and particularly finance. Although a full list had not been compiled, the Wellington Football Association had nothing to be ashamed of in the number of players who had answered the call of their country and were now on active service.

The meeting decided that the age limit, from the fourth division downwards, be the same as last season. Mr. Meltzer, in reply to a delegate, said full consideration would be given to the question of holding games for the Forces, and giving patriotic service generally.

OFFICERS ELECTED

The election of officers resulted: — Patron, the Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall); president, Mr. J. J. Roberts; vice-presidents, as last season, with the addition of Sir Harry Batterbee; management -committee, Messrs. A. Lindsay, R. Bald, A. Costelloe, E. J. Gates, C. Ballard, J. Meltzer, and G. Aers; treasurer, Mr. J. J. Kean; auditors, Messrs. B. Martin and W. L. Wilson; delegates to New Zealand Football Association, Messrs. W. Vaney and W. Hicks; trustees, Messrs. F. J. Courtenay and J. J. Roberts; vicepresidents to N.Z.F.A., Messrs. F. J. Courtenay and W. Duncan.