FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5105, 25 March 1927, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

. notes from the plains. PROSPECTS FOR THE SEASON. At this time last year very active preparations were being made on the Hauraki Plains 'Mr the opening of the Rugby football season on April 10. The annual meeting of the Rugby Union has been delayed for some time, until the clubs had held their meet•Jlfcgs but it eventuated on March 15. This’ season comparatively little interest is being taken, and though the union will meet next Monday evening some of the clubs have not yet awakened to .the necessity of holding their annual meetings. ‘ Although appearances at this time of the year are always deceptive, the pTfresent indications are that 'football will not be as strong this season as in the past. A great number of the older players have annpunlced their intention to retire from the game, and at present there does not seem to be sufficient new players to. take tJhvir places. All the clubs appear to be weak numerically, although West, Ngatea, and Turua do not see much difficulty in placing two teams in the field. United Coast has decided to appeal to the Rugby Union for more territory, the only alternative being to disband. Kerepeehi has only half a dozen players in sight for the senior team, though it is thought that more might be found for a junior team. There are now practically no single men employed by the Lands Department, and the number of employees about 60 below last year’s number. The club has never had a player from a farm, and an extension cjf territory would hardly be of any benefit. There are practically no- native players of last year now in the district. No one in the district is taking sufficient interest to discuss the matter. In Waitakaruru the opinion is that it might be possible to get a senior team, although it appears impossible to get ; two teams. In Turua more interest is being shown than in all the rest of the Plains, and many rumours are in circulation! concerning the movements of the other clubs. From inquiries made these appear to be without 'foundation, for none of the other districts is sufficiently interested to discuss the season’s prospects to any great extent. However, Monday evenmeeting is so close that further speculation is futile. An important matter that will come up on Monday evening will be the appointment ■of the president of the Rugby Union. Mr J. Costello, who has held the office since the formation of the union, has announced his decision not to-stand again, and thus 'for the first time the- appointment of the chief executive officer will give delegates food for thought. A remit from the Ngatea club concerning the method of appointing the selectors cff the representative teams deserves careful consideration, while Mr C. S. Foster, of Ngatea, will again endeavour to have the constitution of the union amended to provide that it shall consist of men who do not - allegiance to any affiliated club.