AN "OUTSTANDING SEASON"

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

AN "OUTSTANDING SEASON"

Rugby Union's Survey of Past Year ANNUAL REPORT "An outstanding season, particularly as regards elub football." Such is the opinion expressed in the aniiual report of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union; which will be presented at the annual meeting held in Napier last iiight: "The representative team had quite a Buecessfiil year, wiiming the majority of its matches, and in most cases they gave good displays of football worthy of erpreseUtative teams in the pfist. The Australia-Hawke 's Bay match was a typieal example of clean, attractive football, and created conteiderable publie interest," the report adds. "From a financial viewpoint, although not much profit is shown, the season has been quite satisfactory. The interest from our accumulated funds helps considerably to keep ub on an even keel,, and the , conservation of these funds shows the wisdom of pre» vious committees. It has been the object of the nnion for some years pa/at to make each year self-supporting. At the same time, they have assisted in every way possible the encouragement of Rugby, particularly as rgards schools, country football and isub-union football. "The accounts, after allowing for depreciation, show a profit of £7 3/11, while the accumulated funds of the union now stand at £3967. " Although the claims have not been as heavy as in the previous year, this fund, even with the assistance given to it from representative fixtures, is by no means self-supporting. The balance to the credit of the fund is now at a very low ebb. "Very strict attention has been given to claims, and it is now obvious that unless this benefit fund is to be a continual drain on^ the resource's of the union the premiums eharged will need to be increased. "During the year it was discovered that clubs were" issuing receipts to players for insurance purposes without receiving the players' subscriptions. This was never the intention of the union, and the insurane fund rule has been framed in the presept manner with a view to helping ebibs to obtain their subscriptions at the same time as the insurance permiumls. dlub CompetitiQfis "Due to the evetmess of the teams in the senior competition, interest was sustained until the final games; and, as already mentioned, the standard of play was very good,' and was much appreciated by our large public following. Gate takings totalled £457, an increase qf £116 as compared with the previous season. The public interest was also reflected in the Hastings Sub-Union account, where attendances wero very good and takings much greater than usual. "In the primary schools competition an innovation was made this year, as it wa® deeided that the winner of the schools' tournament would also hold the Ross Shield. This- widens the competition, and your committee fielt it was better to concentrate on one successful tournameut of this sort than spread the interest over two events. Tho Provincial Schools ' Tournament was held this year at Dannevirke, and was again very successful. "Wairoa won the competition, and therefore hold the shield, this being the first time they have had an opportunity of securing it. Our very best tlianks are due to the Dannevirke Sub-Union for the particularly effieient manner in which they controlled this competition. and in this conneetion the committee wish, to express their thanks to Mr Simpson for taking charge of the tournament.

"It seems probable that this competition will create more interest each year, and while it is not possible from a financial point of view to make a tournament of this sort self supporting, the committee feel that ex penditure in this manner encqurages the code in the schools and is for the ultijnate . good of the game. The totai amount expended on school football during the year amounted to £144. All sub-unions were represented in the schools' tournament which was held at Dannevirke at the end of August, and each sub-union contributed a proportionate part of the expenses. "Thanks are again . due to Mr W, Lockhead and Mr T. Rankin, who rcted as selectors,. and gave quite a con siderable amount- of time to*fostering junior football. The usual home-and-home games were played with Wairarapa-

Senior Representatives. "Generally speaking, the standard of football played by the senior repre sentative team was extremely good, al. though in one or two instances they appeared to lose forin. This was chiefly due to the conditions existing on the days these matches were played. Nine games were played during the season, Hawke's Bay winning five and iosing four. "In some matches the play was re miniscent of the - palmy days of

Hawke's Bay football, and our senior selector is indeed to be congratulated on his unsparing efforts to build up with comparatively young players . a team worthy of the province. "To give an opportunity to as many of the young players as possible, a colts' team was arranged again this year. A very successful tour was made to the northern portion of the South ■Island, matches being played against Marlborough, Golden Bay, and Nelson. Our thanks are again due to the New Zealand Union for assistance towards the tour. "It appears that both from the point of view of the New Zealand and tho Hawke's Bay Rugby Unions the money expended on this class of tour is well warranted. It should be the aim of every footballer to play senior football, and the colts' tour enables the union to give many more senior players an op portunity of playing outside teams. Thanks. "The union again wishes to acknowledge its obligation to the Fress for

the very full reports, and their thanks to Mr Corner and his staff, our honorary surgeon, and the Napier Citizens' Band, who have assisted during the year. "Once again the Refer6es> Association have carried out eplendid work during the season, and the union wishes to congratulate them on their efforts and to acknowledge its appreciation of their gratuitous work. "As in the past, relationship betwceo the sub-unions and the parent body has been quite harmonious, The committee appreciates the work being carried out ,by these bodies and the diificulties under which the,v labour,"