RUGBY DECLINE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4465, 14 June 1930, Page 4

RUGBY DECLINE.

DRASTIC REMEDY PROPOSED. DISTRifCT FOOTBALL IN FOUR CENTRES. When the chairman called for general business at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Ilorowheima Rugby District Council, the. treasurer, Mr. '.l. W. Rimmer, said lie had a matter vitally affecting the future of football in Ilorowlieuua that ho wished to put before the Council. Tn order to assist members to realise the position, he said, he had drawn up a statement showing the position of the Council’s finances over a period of years. It showed the receipts from the two main sources of income and revealed a startling decline. The receipts Cor the past live years had been as follows: Gates Affiliation fees

1924! . . 485 . . 31 1927 .. 510 .. 29 1928 .. 301 .. 15 1629 . . 303 .. 15 1930 .. 126 .. 10 For the remainder of this season they could only expect, from the nature of the games, three more average gates, which would bring the total revenue up to £l4O. The affiliation fees were reduced because of the fewer teams playing. He had come to the conclusion that to go on with football on the present basis was wrong as they could •not pay their way. The game was only being maintained at the expense of their supporters, and they had to consider whether it would not be better to shut up. Ho suggested that a special general meeting of the affiliated clubs lie called to deal with the position and that a district scheme he evolved for (heir consideration. The suggestion was that in Foxton, Levin, Shannon and Otaki they turn all the juniors into seniors, and even if they had weighty third-class players, make them seniors. Then it would be possible to put four teams into the field in each of those towns. The teams could call themselves whatever they liked and it would not be necessary to alter the rules in any way. In each town the areas could be geographically defined by quartering the town and nearby district, and with four teams they could play four rounds in each town. Then town representatives could be selected from each (own to play a round of intertown football and decide the championship. The Horowheuun representatives would be drawn from these, and the Manawlienua representatives from the Ilorowlieuua team. Mr. Rimmer contended that by I his scheme they would multiply the number of players. If the members of the Council were going to assume the position of managers, I hey .must face the facts and if they faced the facts they would realise that at present they were not having football in any of their towns, and if they were not having it they were not going to get the support of the public because they oculd not he sure of seeing a game, and would look elsewhere for their amusement. In brief, the Council was not giving service and he was pretty confident that if they called a genera! meeting they could get a scheme into shape that would be for the advancement of Rugby. He had no hesitation in declaring that the condition of foobtall at present was rotten. If the scheme suggested was adopted, they could bring it into operation this season. The senior games came to an end in three weeks and he suggested winding up the junior fixtures at approximately the same time arid getting the new scheme into operation on the fourth Saturday.

In reply to Mr McLean (Pa.raparaumu), Mr. Rimmer said Waikanae and Paraparaumu would go ip. with Otaki.

Mr. Robinson (Foxton) said the scheme would involve a lot of work on the Council. They would have to have a (Classification Committee to equalise the players in each town. 'There would have to he a general classification by the Council in each town.

Mr. Procter: The players would have to play in their own district. The boundaries of the district would classify the players. Mr. Robinson: Can we make juniors into seniors under the rules? The secretary (Mr. Casey): You could call them A and B players. Mr. Procter (life member) : The scheme is well worth taking ,into consideration. There is too much travelling at present and the delegates should be called together 'to go into the matter. lam quite sure Iha I if such a scheme had been brought in some years hack, the position would have been much different to-day.

Mr. F. Meyer (Waikanae) supported this view. Hr. S. Hooper (Referees’ Association) said eaich player would play Cor his own part of the (own or district. lie would move:— "That a special general meeting be called to consider the advisability of inaugurating a district scheme of football to improve the standard of the game.”

Mr. Rimmer said ho was satisfied that the .scheme would increase the number of players because of one thing'. To-day football was too costly for the average man to play. If they bad Club games in each town, there would be no travelling excuses whatever. A player could get on his bicycle and go down to the ground. The Council would meet the expense of travelling from town to town in the final round. The executive could he the men in charge in each town and would thus be given an opportunity of doing real service, which they did not do at present other than coming to the wcdkly meeting. The gate receipts

in each town would he divided by I lie four teams engaged after this season, and out of the money so received, they could pay the local expenses. Ig answer to Mr. Robinson, Mr. Rimmer said the affiliation fees and insurance would go to the Council as at present. Mr. Rimmer said they all knew really good sports and supporters who had left the game simply because it was too costly.

Mr. Robinson: It costs any man who follows up the game regularly £2O a year, and he is lucky to get out of it at that. Mr. McLean: The revenue tho Council would get would be out of the rep. games. Mr. Robinson did not think it possible for Eoxton to get four teams. They might get two. Mr. Rimmer: Don’t forget that the number of players will he multiplied, though I realise the standard of play will he lower for a start. The secretary considered Ihc scheme would regain the public interest.

Mr. Robinson said a universal half-holiday was what was wanted. There were two Wednesda y I earns in Foxton, who would play on Saturday if that was the half holiday. ' Discussion took place as to the boundaries of the various towns, and it was explained that each centre would be quartered and would lake in the neighbouring country district. The opinion was expressed that additional players would be brought out. 'Such a team as Comity would have its players absorbed. The motion was carried and a committee consisting of Messrs Rimmer, Casey and Procter was appointed to formulate a scheme lor submission to the delegates’ meet’ng, which was fixed for Tuesday, June I.7th, at Levin. .The secretary said the voting strength of each club would lie based on the affiliation fees paid. UNFINANCE! L PLAYERS. MV. Robinson said he would give notice to move at the meeting: "That no player he allowed to delve any benefit from the insurance fund unless lie was financial, with his Club.” It was very unfair that members who had not paid their subscription should be able to:draw on the insurance fund. Mr. Procter: Every secretary should be requested to furnish a list of financial members to I lie secretary of the Council. ■Mr. Rimmer said it was a hard rule to enforce. If there was competition for places in the teams it would he easier.