FOOTBALL IN FRANKLIN

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 524, 20 April 1920, Page 2

FOOTBALL IN FRANKLIN

EXCELLENT PROSPECTS FOR SEASON. (By "Fair Try.") Football, in Franklin .this season promises to be the best ever seen here. Up to the present time there a.'e eleven teams in the senior and junior competitions, .vhile application has been received from two other clubs (recently formed) for entry into the Franklin Rugby Union. A meeting of' the union has been convened for Saturday night to consider this matter. Provided the union is favourable to the inclusion of these clubs, it will mean that the Franklin Rugby Union will have fifteen teams under its jurisdiction. With such a number of clubs to select from, it would be an excellent scheme for the union to consider sending a representative team with a view of wresting the Ranfurly Shield from the metropolitan holders. The suggestion is one worthy of consideration. Even if Franklin was ovemvhelmingly outclassed, the experience gained by the players in their match would go a long way towards improving the class of football in this district. The idea may be laughed at, but there is no reason why the Ranfurly Shield should not find a new home under the management of the Franklin Rugby Union. The district contains some brilliant and promising players, and unless an effort is to be made at, an early date to arrange representative matches the union will lind League representatives again invading Franklin endeavouring to persuade clubs to play Northern Union. The League officials are out to make their game the national one, and unless the Rugby officials wake up and encourage players by means of giving them highest honours (representative honours), they will find that the League game will shortly gain a strong hold in Franklin, as it has in numerous other country places. A team to try and wrest the Ranfurly Shield would tend to increase enthusiasm throughout the district, as well as induce players to train with a view to being chosen in the fifteen. We trust that the union will consider the suggestion at an early date.