LOWER HUTT ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 37, 20 February 1930, Page 12

LOWER HUTT ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING

At the annual meeting of the abovo club to be held oh Wednesday, February 26th, the following report will be submitted: —

It is with-great pleasure and satisfaction, that youT committee presents titis, the "Eighth Annual Beport, for youT consideration. Last year undoubtedly heads the list of a series of in=-. creasingly successful, seasons. Seven teams were entered by the Club in the various grades under the auspices of tke W.F.A. It is to be regretted that no teams were entered in the Hutt Valley Boys' League, as it is from t&e3e boys' teams that the senior players of tie future must: eventually graduateNo less than- three Championships and two Cups were won, in addition to one team being runners-up- for the championship in their, grade. TMs is surely an enviable record for any club to be proud of, aad speaks. foT itself as. regards the playing strength of tie club. In dealing with the performances of the various teams, it may be said that the senior team upheld^ its good reputation, finis-liing Tunners-up in the championship, this being somewhat of an improvement on last year's position.

As regards winning the Senior Championship and thereby attaining the status of a Senior A Club, there is no doubt that the Club has sufficient material in its ranks to build up a team capable of carrying - off the honours, and with, the co-operation of the various team coaches the committee can surely look for success in this direction in the near future.

. As regards t«he Junior teams, ypur I Junior B Team, after playing through the major portion of the season, had to be withdrawn owing' to members having to work, sickness, and other causes. Tie Junior C Team has the proud distinction of going through the season unbeaten, winning both the Championship and Challenge Cup. Mr: T Potts, tie coach, and one of the oldest members of the Club, was in n,« small way responsible for these aue-' cesses. The Third Grade A Team, under thel, able and willing coaching of, Mr. Allanson, emulated the deeds of the. Junior C Team in winning both Championship I and Cup, and maintaining an unbeaten, record. Heartiest congratulations to both these teams;1 their successes, are well deserved. A Third Grade B team was also entered, but this team was not so successful, but if keenness is any criterion then the prospects for the future are particularly brig&t.

Your Fourth Grade team was also well to the fore, winning the Challenge Cup and holding a fairly high position pn the Championship ladder. Thanks are due to Mt. Cartmell for the good work he has put in with this team, a«sisting them materially in their good performance. It was a great pity that the boys of the Fifth Grad? were so light and young. As regards weight and age these boys were playing out of their class. Much bettiefr results would have been shown had this team been playing in the Hutt Valley Boys' League.

Congratulations are extended to Messrs Nicolle, Batchelor, Lowry and .Chapman, representatives in the Senior B v. Senior A. game played at the Baain Reserve on King's Birthday, and to A. Caxtmell, fourth grade representative in the Wellington v. Canterbury mate»h. To Messrs W. Watson and J. Gardner, selected for the fourth grade trial game, congratulations are also extended.

It is very pleasing to note that in the matter of c<Ja6afes the Club h,as been much more fortunate than in the past, •iavitig a coach for every; team entered. We sincerely trust that these gentlemen mil continue their interest in the Club by carrying on the work they have ao successfully commenced.

As regards finance, your committee has greatly exceeded all. hopes and expectations. Keference to the Balance Sheet will show tije* 5 funds accrued are now £143/15/10, a* against £58/2/10 last season, which is an increase of 150 j>er cent.. For this happy state of affairs your Social Committee is mainly responsible. The ladies of this committee are to be specially commended, as their efforts were untiring in assisting the \clfcib to reach sue-h a sound financial basis. During the season a number of highly successful dances

wete held, also a Jumble Sale, and through the snmmei a number of picnics . were organised. T&ese were most enjoyable outings and were very popular with members' and friends. The Annual Social was again an excellent function with a record attendance. DuTing the evening presentations were made to k .the ladies of the Social Committee, the winneis of the various cups. and ehampionsiiips, and medals donated by Mr. W. Logan were presented to Messrs McDougall and Batchelor. as being, the most popular players of the Senior team..

It is with profound regret, that we have to record tiie death of Mr. F. Keynolds, dicing t&e past year. Mr. Reynolds had been a member of the Club since its foundation, being a member of the first team formed and, in later, years acting as honorary auditor. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his family. " '

Your thanks are due, gentlemen, to the Lower Hutt Borough Council for allowing t>he club the use of the pavilion and grounds for training purposes; to the caretaker for the splendid condition in which the playing ground was kept; to the. Referees' Association whose members so ably controlled the games during the season; to t»he Hutt Valley Amateur Operatic Society for tie benefit concert they so ably staged on our behalf; and last, btrf; not least, to the "Hutt News? 7 whom we have to thank foT the great amount of publicity given to tie club's activities. Thanks are due also to the club 'a honorary members^ the management committee, the social committee, and all outgoing officers for the capable and efficient manner in which they have controlled tfce affairs of the eltab during the past season. -

It is a great pity that members do not take more interest in the training and facilities offered them. As the season progresses, players appear, to take less interest in' their training which, consequently, has a serious effect in the attendance at /the Bee. on training nights which is only once a week. Surely this night could be spared in the interests of the individual teams and the club as a, whole.

In conclusion gentlemen, your committee most hteartily invite all members and intending members to attend the Annual Meeting and help to make; it a success, thereby ensuring that the club will, have a good start towards maintaining lihe successes achieved in 1029 and, if possible, to improve om them.