INTER-CLUB FOOTBALL SCHEME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4467, 19 June 1930, Page 3

INTER-CLUB FOOTBALL SCHEME.

TURNED DOWN AT MEETING OF DELEGATES. The scheme formulated by Mr. J. \V. Rimmer, Treasurer of the Horowlienun Rugby District Council, with the object of putting football on a better financial basis by the abolition of the present system of. club's and the substitution- of a district grouping system, was discussed at great length at a special meeting of delegates to the Council in Levin on Tuesday. Eventually a motion was brought forward to apply the scheme to the Nash iCup competition this year, for the purposes of trial, but this was lost on the aggregate of plural voting, though five clubs were in favour of it to four against.. The. motion of which Mr. F. Robinson (Foxton) had given notice, •‘That, before any player can derive any benefit from the insurance scheme, he must be financial with his.club,” was brought, forward at the special general meeting of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council on Tuesday evening. It was seconded by Air. F. Meyer (Waikanae), and, after a short discussion, was carried unanimously. The meeting, at which there was an attendance of about thirty, was held in Levin on Tuesday evening when Air. J. McGill, of Otaki, president of the Council, was in the chair.

In addressing the gathering, Air. Rimmer referred to the present position as one where football could not continue successfully. He outlined his proposed scheme (already published) and said the object would be to reduce clubs where, they were strong- and strengthen them where they were weak, taking a few men from one place and adding them to another. They also thought it would he quite possible to carry on the seniors, hut » combine the juniors and the thirds. Levin could be divided into four sections; Otaki could get, four by forming a southern district, and the northern end by a combination of Foxton and Shannon. If the original scheme could he worked, it was suggested that the charge for admission to matches he fid, and that the proceeds be divided between the interested clubs; they to pay alt expenes of carrying on their football; the expenses of teams visiting Levin to be met by the District Council.

Air Elliott (Otaki) said he did not see how the seniors and juniors could be combined, but there should lie some way of dividing Hornwlienua into sections to compose teams. The juniors were doing well, especially in the southern end, and he did not suggest any change in the junior competition. The Chairman was of opinion that Ihe present system was all right, but lie would suggest that players living at a particular place piav at that place. Every footballer should play in the town where he lived.

Air Jones (Schools) spoke against any compulsion being used lo determine for wlmt club a man should play. MY li. Reds haw (Tokomaru) ed that the district scheme had proved a failure in '.Palmerston N, and Auckland.

Mr Casey (secretary) said that one of the causes of retrogression was the amalgamation with Alanawatu; another was the lack of sympathy of local bodies. .Still another cause was the expense of travelling, and that was one thing which the district scheme would attempt to overcome. If anyone had a better scheme be would like it to be brought forward. Mr Richards (Shannon) thought that the position of football in the district, was all rigid apart from finance. One of the causes of the set-back was unemployment, and another was the seasonal nature of certain classes of employment. Other districts besides Horowhenua had suffered.

Mr Robinson (Foxton) said it would always happen that some men would play for clubs outside the towns in which they lived. Their interests were sometimes associated with those teams, and be did not- think it would be right to try to force them to play for their local clubs. A universal half-holiday would greatly benefit football; without it they did not gel half their athletes into action.

.Mr If. Parr (Tokomaru) said a good scheme would be to pul on football which was “true (o label.” The spectators expected to see senior football, if advertised as senior; hut. in the last few years it bad hot been senior football. He thought that a number of seniors •should he re-classified as juniors; then the public would be able to sec real junior football and in a few years these men would come back to senior rank lo play good football. Air Hannan (Wanderers) considered that Mr Rimtuer’s'scheme was sound; that gentleman wished to save the expense of players Ira\el ling 1.0 a ceil ire. Jf the. suggestion were applied to boys leaving school he thought I hey would take up foot hall because there would be no expense attached to it. The Council should try to apply the scheme to that, grade to begin with. He thought that- the district j nigh l not have such a lean year in football again. The speaker suggested that the Nash cup competition this year lie played under the district scheme.

Mr. O'Connor (County) moved that the Nash Cup competition this year be played under district rules according to Air. liimmer’s scheme. Air. Moynihau (Shannon) opposed the plan, on the ground that it would uot be workable in Shannou

owing to the res!rioted area. Mr. N. Winiatn contended that Ihe Council should not apply the

scheme;to I lie! Nash Cup competit ion without obtaining the views oi the players. The motion was lost by Hi votes to If), the votes being cast as follows :

For: County (2), Foxton (4), Kopntaroa (1), W’aikamie (2), Pavaparaunm (1). Against: Shannon (5), Tokomaru (2), Otaki (li), Wmiderers (fi).

1 1 was then resolved, on the motion of Mr. Robinson, that the Nash ('up competition be played as one round, this season, each senior team being allotted a match.