HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 275, 15 July 1932, Page 2

HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

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FiNALS REACHED ROTORUA ASSOCIATION'S AIM FOR LARGER BOUNDARIES SUCCESSFUL. STANDARD NOW IMPROVEL).

(Notes by

A noticeable improvement in the standard of play was witnessed in last Saturday's ladies' "h&ckey matches and it would appear as if the aim of the hockay association in improving the standard by dividing the teams into sections has been a step in the right direction. " By defeating Taniwha in a spectacular game by a one goal margin, Mourea justified the d'ecision of the association to allot the new team to the A grade, and it is worthy of comment that no team in recent years has made such a successful debut into the game as Mourea has done this season. It is unfortunate, however, that the Arawa side has, since the allocation was made, lost several of its best players, and although they held the Shamrock team at.times last Saturday, the latter side was playing well below its usual form. It is expected, i therefore, that the Arawa Club will be regraded into the B grade and that its place in the A grade will he taken by Reporoa, who have signified their intention of entering the compeition with' a strong team. One of the most satisfactory features of Saturday's matches was the fielding of a full team by Whippets, and a very even game was played between this club and Mamaku, the latter team being the winner by the only

goal of the match. This Year's Engagements. As an alternative to competing at the annual Dominion tournament in Dunedin, a proposal is on foot for the Rotorua representative team to make a tour of the southern districts of the North Island, with the chief aim of the trip a challenge match against Ruahine-Dannevirlce for possession of the Lady Carroll Shield. It is proposed to play games in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Dannevirke, Masterton and Wellington, the time necessary to make the trip being stated as eight days. This tour should prove a wonderful trip for the players and undoubtedly they will receive warm welcomes at all the towns visited. On such a trip it should be possible for a fully representative side to get away and it is expected that it could hold its own against any team played. It is hoped , therefore, that the itinerary which has been mapped out will meet with the approval of all the associations to be visited and also that of the New Zealand Women' s Hockey Association. In order to help to defray the expenses of the tour, it is hoped to arrange for members of the team to give concerts in certain towns and also to arrange for a broadcast concert to be given from 2YA at Wellington. Boundaries Increased. Information that the New Zealand Ladies' Hockey Association has agreed to the local association controlling the game in the Bay of Plenty district will meet with the approval of all hockey enthusiasts and will add greatly to the standing of the ' Rotorua Ladies' Hockay Association. This aim has been steadily advanced by the Rotorua executives for a number of years and a strong case was presented at the conference of managers held at the last annual tournament in Auckland. Much correspondence has also passed between the two associations since the beginning of the present season, and with the valuable aid of the association's delegate in Wellington, the object has been ultimately achieved. The districts now vested in -the control of the Rotorua Association are Whakatane, Te Puke, Opotiki, Taupo, Rotorua, Mamaku and Putaruru. Although the only actual increment of players will at the present time result from the inclusion of Whakatane, the association hopes to foster the game in the Opotiki district, where for some time interest has gradually died out. The reason for this is probably the result of the very remote control necessarily exercised by Auckland, with which association Opotiki was originally affiliated, and it is expected that with the better provision and interest which the Rotorua Association will be able to provide, the game will once again come into its own in this district. Dominion Tourney. A further indieation that North Island associationg will find it diificult to travel to Dunedin for the annual tournament next month comes from Manawatu, where it has been stated that unless special functions provide the necessary finances there is no possibility of a team being entered.