FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5418, 1 May 1929, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

THAMES VALLEY UNION. ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Thames Valley Rugby Union on Saturday evening Mr J. W. Silcock, president, presided over the following : Messrs J. McDermot, W. Paul, and S. Walmsley, Waihi; J. Hepburn and Aitken, Piako ; H. Dent, C. Foster, and W. Madgwick, Plains; W. Neil, E. Shaw, J. H. Walmsley, Paeroa ; H. M. Shand, Referees’ Association ; and W. D. Nicholas, secretary. After the signing of the minutes the meeting, at the request of the chairman, stood a few moments in tribute to the memory of the late Mrs F. Lockyer and Mr K. Lockett. Mr Silcock, in his opening remarks, welcomed the delegates to the seventh annual meeting of the Thames Valley Rugby Union. In expressing his hopes for a successful season the president mentioned that the financial position was good. If co-operation was forthcoming between the various managements and committees all would be well. The Thames Valley Rugby Union was ready to do what it could for the progress of the game. Should the union fail in its duty it would reflect upon the others. Report and Balance-Sheet. Introducing the annual report and balance-sheet, Mr Silcock drew attention to the satisfactory credit balance. They should build up the fund still further, as next year it was hoped to send a representative team away, although there was nothing definite as yet-about the proposal. Last year it had been thought that perhaps this year a team could have been sent away, but not only lack of cash prevented this ; the players were perhaps not up to the required standard. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr C. S. Foster, the report and balance-sheet was adopted. Union Headquarters. It was unanimously decided that the headquarters of the Union remain at Paeroa. President and Secretary. On being nominated for the office of president Mr Silcock said he had not wished to continue in that position this season. He had held it some years, and thought he would now make an endeavour to give it up, although still heart and soul in the game and the union. Mr Madgwick, in asking Mr Silcock to reconsider’ his decision, remarked that the president knew he had a good uniop, and the union knew they had a good president. Several delegates referred to the splendid work Mr Silcock had done as president, and how eminently suitable he was for the office, Mr W. Neil crystallising the matter by suggesting that the delegates should not nominate anyone else. ' Mr Silcock thanked the meeting for the remarks passed and said that he might go on another’ year if the secretary did likewise, as he understood that Mr Nicholas also intended resigning that night. Things had been so much better with Mr Nicholas as secretary that he felt that should the secretary resign he would also resign. At this juncture Mr Nicholas stated that he was quite determined to stand down, and he proposed Mr J. H. Walmsley as secretary. On Mr Walmsley demurring, the delegates decided to adopt the same attitude as they had on the question of president—not to put forward any other nominations. The secretary’s term of office had been synchronous with such excellent business and finance methods that they were loath to lose him. In the end Messrs Silcock and Nicholas accepted nomination and thanked the members for their expressions of appreciation. Mr Nicholas made the stipulation that he again undertook the position upon one condition—that the secretaries of the sub-unions did their work. If he wrote a letter he wanted it answered, otherwise, naturally, he would not have written it. advised that if the secretaries were no good the unions should exercise no sympathy but dispense with; their services. Mr S. Walmsley remarked that the suggestion should be adopted. Delegates to N.Z.R.F.U.

On the question of delegates to the N.Z. Rugby Union Mr Walmsley maintained that when it came to arranging matches, etc., two delegates, were better than one, and he suggested that the secretary should accompany the president as second delegate, two being allowed by the rules of the union. Mr Silcock agreed, remarking that it gave them an opportunity of thanking in a tangible form the secretary who had consistently refused a honorarium and had devoted a tremendous lot of time and energy to the union’s interests. The meeting decided that if the N.Z. Rugby Union would not pay the second delegate’s expenses the Thames Valley Union would do so. Selectors. With reference to selectors, Mr Silcock remarked that with the exception of one or two, the players last season were not up to inter-provin-cial standard. Mr Shaw maintained that the fault last year was not with the selectors, but with the players—they would not train. It should be that if a player would not train he should not be allowed to play, and it was up to committees to see that only those who did train were chosen. Mi- Silcock expressed, agreement with this opinion. Executive Committee. It was decided that each sub-union should have a representative on the executive committee, so as to keep in constant touch with the parent body and obviate the necessity of calling special meetings, involving extra expense, over small matters. It was easy for one man from each union to get to Paeroa, and they could, if occasion required, be consulted on the telephone. The president of each sub-union was elected to the committee.

Election of Officers. The following officers were elected : Patron, Mr H. Poland ; president, Mr J. W. Silcock; vice-presidents, Messrs H. Dent, W. Marshall, S. Walmsley, Dr. Lawrence ; delegates to N.Z. Rugby Union, Messrs J. W. Silcock and W. D. Nicholas ; secretary, Mr W. D. Nicholas ; treasurer, Mr J. H. Walmsley ; auditor, Mr G. E. Allen ; selectors, Messrs Len. Allen (Piako), C. Dillimore (Waihi), C. Hayward (Plains), and E. Smith (Paeroa) ; executive committee, Messrs J. W. Silcock, W. D. Nicholas, J. H. Walmsley, H. Dent (Plains), S. J. Walmsley (Waihi), and Dr. Lawrence (Piako). Poland Memorial Cup.

Considerable discussion followed the proposal that the Poland Cup competition again consist of two rounds, the Plains delegates dissenting en bloc. Mr Dent, speaking on behalf of his union, said he had been instructed to vote against two rounds and ask for one. They knew what the cup had been donated for, but at the same time they knew that two rounds spoilt Plains football. His union felt that the best interests of football would be served by reducing the number of rounds. If after a year’s trial this proved unsatisfactory, they were prepared to support a return to two rounds. Representative fixtures were not up to standard, and confused with club football. On the Plains they had too many senior teams and had done their best to reduce them.

Mi- Madgwick, in supporting Mr Dent, said that the Plains teams were too weak. When the Poland Cup was being played for it meant that from four to six out of each team were engaged in that competition—ls men for six weeks, with the rest of the club players standing on the line. It was most discouraging to them. Mr Shaw asked the meeting to remember what happened to the juniors last season owing to the fact of their competition being confined to one round. As a matter of fact, it was disgraceful the way the Thames Valley Union had treated the juniors ; it did not foster them, and they had not even been mentioned in the annual report. As for the playing of two rounds weakening club teams, club matches were not played. Instead of playing Peace matches at Thames, etc., games should be played at home. There should be more football in the union and less out of it. Mr Dent stated that his. union had only played one away match at Thames. There was no denying the fact that cup football caused loss of interest in club matches. Mr Silcock maintained that there were too many teams on the Plains. By cutting them down to four all the difference would be made. Some of the players were not really senior grade, but junior. In Paeroa, too, there were four teams with only players for three, with the result that teams fielded short. The union would like to assist the Plains in every way possible. Agreeing with Mr Dent, Mr Paul said that Waihi had had the same trouble, but on reducing the number of teams they had more success. If club matches were not finished when the Poland Cup games came on interest in them was lost. As for the juniors, as long as they got a game and a trip they were quite content with their lot, and did not seek promotion for that reason. Mr Smith considered that the interval of a fortnight between each game for the Poland Cup was too long. It resulted in club matches being left so late that all interest was gone, and it was difficult at the end of the season to field even 12 players. Mr Madgwick asked whether they were playing for the sake of the game and the players or for the funds of the Thames Valley Rugby Union. On the Plains they were out to foster games. Forcing two rounds on the Plains looked as though they would not get their entry for the cup. Mr Silcock mentioned that all the sub-unions benefited financially. Mr S. Walmsley added that the union only got 10 per cent. If they wanted the public they had to cater for them. Not one quarter the number of people turned up to a club match in comparison with those attending a cup one. In his opinion one round for the juniors was no good either, A proposal to run the matches later and every week was mooted by Mr Silcock, who also said he would like to see the Plains enter. It would be disastrous if they failed to put in a nomination. Mr Dent reiterated that they knew on the Plains they had too many teams and had tried to cut them down. The fact remained that immediately the Poland Cup matches started interest in club games died down. He personally did not, support the proposal that if two rounds were insisted on the Plains would withdraw. It would amount to disloyalty to the mother union. If there were two rounds for the seniors there should be two rounds for the juniors—both should be treated alike. It had been a backward step that right throughout last year the juniors had not been catered for. On the question being put to the vote two rounds were decided on, the Plains delegates dissenting. Mr Silcock intimated that if the union could do anything to help the Plains it would do so. He realised how hard it was to cut down teams in scattered country. Sharebrokers Cup. Mr Shaw, in proposing two rounds for the Sharebrokers Cup, said the juniors were not being encouraged. Players ought to be. classified and made to move up. The sub-unions were to blame in this matter, not the players. In saying that las| year was not a satisfactory one for juniors Mr Neil advocated equal rights for juniors and seniors.

Mr Walmsley said the only objection they had was one of finance. Mr Paul supported, quoting actual figures showing that it cost £lO once to send a team to the Plains. It was decided to have two rounds.

'Maclean Cup. Mr Silcock announced that Mr J. H. .Maclean, of Paeroa, had donated a cup to the union, and he would like the meeting to decide to what purpose it should be put. On the suggestion of Mi’ Foster the cup was granted to the third grade. Poland Cup Rounds. It was decidied to leave the matter of draws for the Poland Cup until the delegates returned from the N.Z. Rugby Union, as they might learn there the dates of representative matches, enabling the draws to be fixed accordingly. Boundaries. The question of a boundary dispute between Plains and Franklin Rugby Unions was left to stand over until a communication had been received from the Franklin Union.

Domicile of'Players. Mr Shaw raised the matter of men resident in Paeroa playing at Thames, resident in Paeroa playing at Thames, and Mr Paul quoted a similar case in After discusion Mr Silcock asked that the sub-unions concerned write to the Thames Valley Union, which would investigate the matter.