FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10606, 3 June 1920, Page 8

FOOTBALL

THE “ SOCCER” GASVIE ANNUAL MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. At the annual meeting of the Now Zealand Football Association, held in Wellington this week, Mr W. Moncton (vice-president), who occupied tho chair, congratulated the association on the fact thal the different points of the game .were now well established in the Dominion, and the game had gone on steadily. Owing to the war, he stated, there had been a severe set-back, but many oi those who had returned from wax service —though there were many who would never play the game again, and all regretted this—were taking up the game once more, youngsters were coming on, and the primary schools were showing increased interest in the -game. It was unfortunate, however, that such oonlci not be said of the secondary schools. Referring to the proposed visit of an Eng. lish team, he stated that it was quite apparent that this would need to be financed by New Zealand.. A visit from New South Wales was more hopeful, and this would do much for the game in. New Zealand. Now that the association was back in its old stride, he was sure that’ good headway would be made. Mr Courtney, another vice-president, said that two matters of particular importance were: First, the encouragement of the , younger lads, and secondly the opportunity which now offered to secure new blood! The men who had returned from the front and immigrants had seen the game played at Home, and realised that Association football was the game of the Army and the Navy. ELECTION OP OFFICERS.

Tho following officers for the ensuing year were elected; —Patron, Viscount Jellicoe; president, Mr C. P. Skerrett. JC.C.; vice-presidents, tho Hons. A. JI. Myers. G. Fowlds, and W. F, C. Oarncross, Ur E. A» Walker, Ivov, W. F* Stent, Colonel W. F. Sleeman/, and Messrs F. J. Courtney, H. G. Mayer, R. English,. „C. E. Statham. S. Myers, H. Mclyeowen, J. J. Roberts, W. I. Churchward, R. M. Chadwick, P. L. Davies. B. W. Harvey, B. Ritson, W. Munokton, and W. D. Ramsay, and the presidents of the affiliated associations; hon. secretary, .Mr B. L. (Salmon; hen. treasurer, Mr H. J. Graves; representative to the English Football Association, Mr A. B. Gibbs; trustees, Messrs H. JBuck and J. M. Ollier; hon. auditor, Mr A. G. Barnett. VISIT OF ENGLISH TEAM. A representative of th© Otago Association asked for information as to the arrangements being made for the visit of an English amateur ream, and urged that tho time was opportune for opening up negotiations between Australia, New Zealand, and the Football Association. Mr McKeowen stated that such a visit was of vital importance to New Zealand. There were some people who inclined to the belief that tho standard of play in New Zealand was not what it might be, but those in a position to judge considered it of quite a good order. Mr Courtney (one of tho delegates bo the Old Country) said that, during his visit to England, he had learned that if a team came to this part of the world it would only visit Australia and New Zea-' land, and would need to be financed by these colonies. The B.F.A. w-as not in a position to offer any financial assistance, but it was quite prepared to get together a team of suitable type. Australia could offer very'much heavier gates than New Zealand," and a, great part of the expense of the tour could bo recouped from the Commonwealth. The suggested tour would need to be taken in hand from this end. and as tho council would have a grea’t- deal of other work, the speaker was of opinion tbat_ a board should be set up to act for New Zealand dn preparation for tb© tour. .The proposed visit from New South Wales was an excellent proposition, as, if a team came across either this year or next year, it would serve as a preliminary to test the organisation, as well as being a valuable experience and a good fillip. This was supported by Mr Salmon (the other delegate to the Old Country). The English Association, he stated, was willing to send a team only after its South African tour .‘{probably in 1921) was finished. This meant that New Zealand could not have a visit from England before 1923. The main consideration was that the money had to be found here. He did not think that a professional team could be secured if it was wanted., The chairman: We don’t want it. Mr Salmon stated further ,that he had been informed that there were many excellent players available, in many cases better footballers than .first division League players. Ho considered that the setting up of a board immediately would be a very good idea.. AN' AUSTRALIAN VISIT.

Tv T. McLaren (Auckland) suggested that local a.,-.jc.u.uon,s snouid be urged to establish a sinking fund, but Mr McKeowen urged that the association should confine its attention .to' tho visit of an Australian team, as he considered tho English visit was impracticable ait the present time. The chairman said that it might be necessary to find something like ,£IOOO for a New South Wales visit; therefore some , difficulty might be . experienced in securing even, more money for the English visit.

It was resolved to replv to the Otago Association, and to inform other affiliated associations, that the question of an English visit was being kept in view, and -to ask these associations what they were prepared to do and to submit suggestions.

WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION SCHOOLS’ COMPETITION POSTPONED. A meeting of tho management committee of tho Wellington Football Association was held last night, Mr W. Auld (president) in the chair. The Kilbirnie Club applied for permission to transfer a' ioam from tho sth A grade to the sth B. The matter was referred to the Boys’ • Sub-committee.

The reserves committee of the City Council wrote consenting to the doublebanking of games on tao city reserves, subject to a permit from the "custodian. A letter was received from the Auckland Association, asking that a fourth grade team fie sent from Wellington during tho season, in order to encourage the game in the northern city. The matter was hold over for a month, it being hold to be too early in the season to decide it at present. The sub-committee appointed to inquire and report upon tho extension of the Association Park was unable to report on account of tho bad weather. The secretary {Mr A. Williams) was instructed to write to tho Referees' Association, asking that tho. (results of matches and team-slips should bo forwarded punctually each week. Tho chairman etatod that the schools’ competition would not be started to-mor-row, as intended, owing to the scarcity of footballs.

Mr Feliliam, of tho Rugby Union Schools’ Committee, was allowed the use of tho association's ground at Duppa street for- Friday afternoon. Tho secretary was' instructed to circularise tho secretaries of tho different clubs, urging the clubs to take up shares In the Association ■ Football Grounds Company, to help liquidate the debt on th* Association Park, and to call n general meeting of members, at which members of, (he Wellington Association would be present to explain the pro, posals. FOURTH GRADE MATCH. A match will be played at Association Park to-day. commencing at 2.15 P-m-,

between the following fourth grade teams:—A team; Chandler, Wanden, Jones, Berry. Jeffries, Burke, Nicholls, Sharpe, Williams, Francis, Dempster; emengenoies. M. Keough and H. Black. B team: D. Wi Niera, Price, Ward, A. Wi Niera, Hendry. Gladstone, Whitehouse Lambert. J. Tailored. Bussell, Foster; emergencies, Dawe, Brett.