HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 547, 2 June 1933, Page 3

HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

DOMINION TOURNEY LOCAL EXECUTIYB ANXIOiUSLY AWIAITING JNfEWS OF ALLOCATION. KING'S BIRTHDAY MATCHES. Having been enabled to make an application for allocation of the annual Dominion tournament, hockey enthusiasts in Rotorua are busy debating the possibilities of the New Zeala,nd Association granting this allocation at a meeting which -will probably be held in a day or so. It is felt that as a venue for the tourney alinost unanimous support will accrue to Rotorua, the only two questionable points being its ability lo provide a certain ■proportion of billets and a satisfiaetory "gate." _ Due to the foresight of the association, the position regarding billets can now be regarded as very satisfactory and creditable to the town and all doubt on this point has been allayed. The gate question is one which must remain an unknown quantity for any association but it is felt that by the attraction of a fair number of visitors to Rotorua by judicious advertising and the golf tourney and school holidays, the result will be fully equal to ia,ny of the last few years. Should the town receive this important fixture, it therefore beh'oves each and every citizen to support the association in its endeavour to remove the feeling that the town cannot successfully run such tournaments as a financial success. It is only by this support that similar fix. tures can corne to the town and provide a guaranteed revenue, which' is essential to the progress of the town. Aard Cup Fixture. In order to assist Bay of Plenty clubs which find themselves less financial owing to the prevailing conditions ' than in former years, the Rotorua association has this year abandoned the representative games for the Aard Cup on the King's Birthday, and in its place substituted a seven-a-side tourney which is open to clubs teams throughout the Bay districts at a reduced entry fee. This fixture, which should prove very interesting, will take place at the Government grounds next Saturday afternoon and at the time of writing five teams are entered. It is some years since a seven-ia-side fixture was held in Rotorua and those who witness the various games should be provided with plenty to interest them. Seven-a-side hockey is naturally very fast and with the best players chosen from each club team entered some fine stickwork is promised.

Don t For Players. . Although I had originally intended to conduct a regular series of articles in explanation of the various rules of the game, this week I will digress from this intention in order to place before players several "don'ts" which I believe will greatly improve and provide better games for players, referees and spectators alike. The various points which com^e to my mind are the following: — Don't assume you know all the rules. Buy >a copy of the official rules and become conversant with' them. Don't dispute the referee's decision. He probably observes more than you. Don't talk — you are wasting good breath that would be better utilised by following up the ball, and doing your bit towards the win for your side. Don't thirik the referee is biassed. He might make a mistake,, but it is an honest one. Don't forget you owe the public a duty. Turn out on time; play your best. Don't hang on to the ball, there are others in your team. Don't argue about decisions. An opposing p-layer may score while you are grouching. Don't wait for the referee to blow 'his whistle when an opponent commits an irregularity; play on for all you are worth. Perhaps it is to your own side's advantage that the referee should not blow — one of the most important rules on the game — always play to the whistle. Don't attempt to argue with the referee. He probably knows a good deal more about the game than you do. Even if he has made a mistake he cannot alter his decision, so you can do no good in th'e matter.

Don't pass until you have drawn an oppdnent. Remiember it is your side you are playing for and it doesn't matter who scores as long as your side does. Don't forget to give your visitors a good time. You may be the visitors next time. Don't forget the refer.ees will not tolerate rough play. Play the ball, otherwise you will find yourself amongst the spectators. Don't criticise the association — th'ey are doing their best for you, and putting in a lot of time and" hard work. Put your complaints in writing to the secretary or inforrn a member of the association. Goalkeepers. The s'carcity of goalkeepers of merit also prompts me to give some ideas of the qualification for this important position and the style of play which sh'ould be adopted. The goalkeeper needs a wonderfully keen eye, a very quick wrist, .and a fiair for kicking the ball. She must have plenty of courage and a quickness of decision and action. If she is to do her best, fullbacks and hal'fbacks Sh'ould remember not to get in her' road and to give her a fair sight • of the ball. She cannot be expected to stop goals when she cannot see the ball. It is a very bad fault in this district the way in which defenders stand in th'e goal-mouth and hamper the goalie, especially during penalty corners. Poor goalie! If the goalkeeper has the time. hiting the ball is better than kicking it, as the hit ball will tr.a.vel further than the kicked hall. The eroalkeener should hold the

stick in both hands, as should all other players, because in this way, when she is called on to save a shot with her hand, it does not matter which side the hall comes on, she can use that hand and hold the stick in the other. It often happens that an opposing forward gets a clear breakaway and comes down on the goalie clear of any opponent. On no account whatsoever must the goalie at that moment stay in th'e goal. She must immediately run out to meet her opponent, and in this way she covers her goal, making it a much smaller target to shoot at. Further, she has the advantage over her opponent inasmuch as she should wear big protecting pads. Further, she is allowed to kick the hall. If the goalie gets ■out promptly and with judgment, she will find that few goals will be scored under the circumstances. At present most of the goailceepers do not do this.