HOROWHENUA RUGBY COUNCIL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3774, 31 March 1928, Page 1

HOROWHENUA RUGBY COUNCIL

CLASSIFICATION OF PLAYERS

At the annual meeting of the Horowhenua Rugby Council held this week Mr. W. Robson, of Shannon, who was junior selector last year, reported at the end of last season as follows: “In my opinion, junior football in the Council’s area is slightly below standard. This, I consider, is largely due to the abnormal number of players who were classified last season (1926). Two players showed exceptional promise, but as both were promoted from the third grade ranks this season, I consider it would be unwise to send them’ a grade higher until they have had experience. The players are Stevenson, of Foxton Club, and N. Dalzell, of Shannon. “It came under my notice this year that at least two of the players classified last year have not /played since this, owing to the fact that their services were not required by any senior clubs. The players 1 refer to are C. Coyle (Shannum) and B. Vincent (Weraroa). Both the players are light men, and in my opinion will not make senior players. I have therefore to ask the Council to consider the advisability of re-grading these men, so that they may play junior next year and so not be lost to the gam®, especially as there is a shortage of players in this grade. “I would also recommend that in future two or three junior selectors be appointed, I found it most difficult and expensive to travel sufficiently to see the most important games; in many instances the vehicle conveying the players was large enough to carry only the players, and other arrangements •had to be made. “The junior reps, were seen in action twice, and it is to be hoped that in future more rep. matches will be arranged; a home-and-home arrangement with both Manawatu and Wlanganui;should be fixed if it is possible.” Mr. O’Connor said that last year there ware seven senior teams as against five this year. This meant that unless'-so.me 40 of these players were reduced in grade, they would be standing on the bank.

Mr. Robinson said that last, year some of the best men playing in this district were juniors, as shown' in the match against Wanganui. Sometimes there was a great injustice done to juniors clubs. Some of the juniors might he brought up during the season to the detriment both of the senior and junior' teams, it would be better if the classification were deferred till the end of the season.

Mr. E. M. Ryder said he was sure that no club was going to push its players up in grade if this was going to spoil a team. The chairman said he had always boon in favour of classification at the end of the season. Last year nobody raised a voice at the general meeting objecting to those who had keen classified. Once the classification was carried by the meeting, it was finished with-

Mr. Moynihan said lie was convinced that some of the juniors that lie saw playing last year could well si and being promoted. Mr. Robson explained that his idea had not been to do away with classification at the end of the season; but that if players were classified at the end of the last season, they should continue this season in that grade apd should not, he classified again until the end of the next season. He thought that the classification would be better left to the clubs.

Mr. O’lConnor said there were 130 senior players last year, and there would be about 90 this year. Wfiat was going to become °f the senior players of last year? 'Were they going to be put on the bank? He knew several players in the Nash Cup competition of last year who would not get a game as seniois this year. The chairman stated that a man only had to apply to the managemejij; committee to be reinstated as a- junior. Mi-. J. Kilsby moved that tho third grade selector or selectors be instructed to classify third grade teams. The motion was carried.