FOURTH GRADE FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 16 September 1921, Page 3

FOURTH GRADE FOOTBALL.

COMPLIMENTARY REMARKS BY REFEREE.

Commenting on the Foxton IV. v. Levin High School IV. grade match which was played at Foxton on the 10th inst., Mr J. Sciascia, the referee, in a note to' the News, says: “I was very much astonished at the class of foot&all these boys play, considering that their ages range from 12 years to 16 years. It was a pleasure to referee for them, they untlerstood the game so well—real tip-tip forward rushes, and the passing was as good as ever one wanted to see. This, 1 think, is a credit to them and their coaches. Summing up the sizes oi the boys, I firmly believe that the Horowhenua Union can run another grade very easily, which 1 think would he well patronised. For instance, raising the age limit of the Fourth Grade to 17, and running a Fifth Grade with an age limit of 14 would allow a lot of boys to play. By this means Foxton could raise two Filth Grade teams, Shannon two, Koputaroa one, and Levin two, very easily. South of Levin, I should think five teams could easily be raked up, and they could be played exactly the same way as the juniors to avoid a lot of travelling. I am of opinion that, by encouraging the young boys to play our national game, in the course of a year or two our standard of football in this IJnion would be as good as the big centres. I know as a fact that there are many young men to-day who do .not play simply because they never got the chance, and I hope the day will soon come when all young lads will be given the opportunity to distinguish themselves on the football field.”