RUGBY IN SCHOOLS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 65, 3 April 1937, Page 9

RUGBY IN SCHOOLS

H.B. Union To Ask For Larger Grant FOSTERING THE GAME "There i's a general falling-off of interest in primary school Rugby football, not only in Hawke's Bay, but also tbroiigbout the whole of New Zealand, " said Mf O. Wiliianison, Waipukurau, at the annual general meeting of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union in Napier last night. He expressed the hope that the union would not allow this to continue, and the union agreed to ask the New Zealand Rugby Union for an increased alloeation for the encouragement of school football. "I can assure you that we are doing all we poesibly can to foster primary school Rugby football, ' ' said th© chairman of the management committee, Mr J. W. Norrie. * ( We realise that the game begins in the schools and we sball conttnue in our efforts this year. But at the same time we expect the schools to help themselves." Mr G. A. Maddison, Hastings, pointed out that the total grant of the New Zealand Rugby Union towarda school football throughout the wliole of th» Dominion was only £750. "But I think the New Zealand body might devote more of its jnoney to this," he added. "The funds in the New Zealand Union amount approxirnately to £40,000., and no doubt they will be augmented after the Springboks' tour by £10,000 or £15,000. I would like to see every union in New Zealand have a liason officer keeping contact between the unions and the schools, with a view to encouraging the game, After all, the school is the cradle of Rugby." The union deeided, on the motion -oi Mr G. Williamson, to make application to the New Zealand Rugby TJnion for an increased alloeation to all unions of moneys for school football.