FOOTBALL.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 156, 28 October 1926, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

WAIKATO UNION. PRESENT AND FUTURE. In the history of all unions is found lean and fat times, periods when strong teams are fielded and seasons when the quality of football is weak. Provinces fluctuate in their ranking*. During recent years the positions of the Auckland and Hawke’s Bay provinces provide examples. If the records of the two travelling teams that Hawke’s Bay sent out this year are a criterion it would seem that the day is not far distant when the supremacy of the Rugby world will pass from the wearers of the black and white to other hands.

Will Waikato be one of the provinces which are arising from mediocrity to be ranked among the great teams of the Dominion ? That is a question which rests in the hands of the controlling authority. The lesson that the pa*st season teaches is that there must be a change in methods if the Waikato is to be ranked among* the first grade sides. This year the sole selector was adopted and it was an improvement over the previous system. There may have been disagreement over the selection. The writer has not always seen eye for eye with the selector. But it is not to be expected that there will be a complete unanimity of opinion as to the selection of a team, no matter who the selector may be. A diversity of opinions will prevail. But this year the selector worked on his own idea of the team, and adhered to it. There was not the constant alterations which have marked previous years. A number of young players were included and the benefit of this will be felt next year. The selector chose the team and did his task. If the results were not all that were to be expected the blame must not be placed upon his shoulders. The lesson taught was the union must be prepared to support the selector by enforcing training. And in the use of this word not only training for physical fitness, but training in tactics and strategy is implied. The Waikato team started off well. It showed good form and gave great promise in the first match against Thames Valley. But it-improved but little; in fact, in some of the games tire combination went back. Tlie weakness became obvious as the season went on. It was a team of individuals whose games and methods did not quite fit in with each other. There always seemed a weakness In some of the links. Forwards and hacks did not work together as was essential. Tire backs played spasmodically and there was never apparent that mutual understanding* and cohesion which Is Imperative to create a dangerous back division. After the first Auckland match the only side which was manifestly superior to Waikato was Taranaki. Waikato should have won the second Auckland mateh, but it had not the ability to take advantage of the openings that came its way. This all conres back to the question of training. Had the players been brought together on a couple of nights for the purpose of blackboard lectures and the determining of certain tactics to be played and supplemented by a little gymnasium work the team would have been a very different one. There would have been less waste energy on the part of the players, and organised attack of the whole would have replaced the individual efforts seen so much.

Two objections have been heard. One is that the players will not come to train. That is the easiest disposed of. Some of the older hands may not, but the younger players -who are keen for their places will; that is, if the union makes it very clear that attendance at the gym. counts. It is a matter in -which the assistance of the unions would have to be sought. In the present days when motor cars are an essential of life there are doubtless enthusiasts on all unions

who would help in the transit of players if they saw that the union Was making a determined effort to build up its team. It is recognised that in a scattered area such as the Waikato gym. practices "must be lim-

ited in number. But is there any reason why all players should not be brought together the night before a rep match? This brings the second objection. The trouble of all country, unions is lack of funds. But this year the Waikato union should have a credit balance. It may not be a larg’e one, nevertheless -there should be sufficient to warrant the management launching out on a training scheme next year. The old saying “ nothing succeeds like success ” applies to football as to other things in life. To arouse the enthusiasm of the public it is essential to create a belief in the prospects of the team this training is imperative. So inwinning its big matches. And to do this training is imperative . So improved financial position and taaining go together. The manager of the Taranaki team told the writer that this year his union commenced the season with a deficit of over £2OO. At the enc! of the season they expected to have a credit balance of several hundreds. How was it done? By boosting the team, training them and winning matches. Taranaki are after the Ran.furly Shield, and they have made the public believe that they, can win it. That is the spirit that is needed in Waikato. Football teams are not created in one yjsar. They are built up, and Waikato, if it wishes to be regarded as one of the first-class provinces, must devote time, money and brains to the process of building up. It has the material for a good side. But it needs moulding. One of the difficulties that confronts the selector is seeing the players. To a degree the East and West match brings out the younger men. But it hardly goes far enough. The suggestion is put forward that next year a B rep team be selected, composed of young players who have not gained representative honours and a couple of old players to lead them, and that matches he arranged with neighbouring unions. Even if only a couple of matches were played it would give the selector his opportunity to watch the younger players, and would encourage them and arouse enthusiasm. It would enable young players to be tried out who otherwise have very little chance of catching the selector’s eye. It would be a part of the build-ing-up process.