Soccer reply

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 387, 21 May 1991, Page 6

Soccer reply

• In response to "Local sports missing out" which appeared in 14 May Bulletin, I would like to make the following comments in relation to local soccer: Puzzled's article was a piece of scurrilous libel, based on incorrect assumptions and misinformation. It is similar to other malicious nonsense published behind the mask of pseudonyms who cower behind the pen-name. As coach of the local soccer team, I have not been directly approached by any representative of Winter Games or the New Zealand Football Association or the Tongariro Football Association regarding local soccer's participation. If I had been approached, I would have jumped at the chance. As it is, FIFA, the governing body of soccer, through its affiHate associations, must sanction any games. Therefore any reputable Winter Games organisation must make its initial approaches through NZFA. As far as I know this has not been done. So Puzzled, check your facts as to whether any organisation or person has approached me before you commit your poison-tipped pen to paper. I am loathe to give credence to anything you write, but your soccer concerns should really have been directed at the Winter Games organisers, the NZFA or the TFA, or by direct approach to me. Puzzled also makes incorrect assumptions about my attitude towards the local community. I have been and always will be committed to the honest and hard-working local community, College and local soccer, my community involvement speaks for itself. To clarify the matter then, I did write an article for the Bulletin, but, because of my work commitments and illness, was unable to take it down to to the Bulletin office personally.

Puzzled, however, overlooks the fact that it is not really my job to write or deliver articles for local papers. This is the third season of senior soccer in the district for me and I have yet to see a reporter, or be interviewed on local soccer. I have only seen one photograph on local soccer in the four years I have been here in any of those papers which incidently take advertising and subscription dollars out of this community. Most of the dozens of articles on soccer have been written (gratis) by me, so that parents and locals know what is going on in the local soccer scene. If I didn't write the articles I doubt if any one else would. Perhaps Puzzled might be better employed writing constructive articles and reports about the many local events taking place, rather than abusive letters full of misinformation. Come and ferret around for the truth face to face. It is your right to use the pseudonym "Puzzled" , but please make sure the facts are correct before letting fly with your venomous innuendoes and if you must attack my handling of local soccer issues; have the courage of your convictions and sign your name. That way I can come and straighten you out on the facts. Perhaps the Bulletin should check the facts of letters before printing them. John McCartney This letter has been abridged for space reasons. Editor's note: As many readers will be aware "Grampian" did submit an article for publication for last week's Bulletin, making "Puzzled's" point about local community attitude redundant. We accept that we had not approached the soccer coach to ask him for game reports, and would add that the opinions of letter writers are not necessarily those of the Bulletin. In answer to the claim

that it is the job of editorial staff to write or deliver articles on sports games - there is enough sport going on in this area to keep a reporter and photographer busy fulltime. But unfortunately reducing advertising revenues for the Bulletin and indeed almost every news media in the country means that we rely on contributors for sports coverage. On that point we repeat our open invitation to any and all sports groups to use the Ruapehu Bulletin's sports pages to promote your sport.