REFEREE PARATA ON THE SPIRIT OF RUGBY.

Shannon News, 3 September 1926, Page 4

REFEREE PARATA ON THE SPIRIT OF RUGBY.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Would you be good enough to allow me a little space in your valuable paper in reference to an in- [ cident which happened last Saturday | in the matter of controlling the match | between County and Wanderers. I On Wednesday, 25th inst., I receivi ed a wire from Mr Emmett notifying I me of my appointment for this parJ ticular match. i The wire was handed in a few i minutes after 7 on Tuesday evening. I could not help but remark my appreciation of the attitude taken by the supporters and members of the Wanderer team jii agreeing to my refereeing the'match when my son was a. player in the County team. I also said: This is the greatest tribute ever paid me tliroughout my career as a referee. However, on my arrival in' Levin, I was told that an alteration had been made, and that Mr Sciascia was to control the match. -I naturally became indignant at such, treatment. On making inquiries 1 learnt that it was through my son playing for the County team that the' supporters and members of the Wanderer team objected. I then approached Mr Sciascia, and told him that 1 intended to carry on, and control the match irrespective of all objections, as I was appointed to control same in priority to hint., sir, 1 ask you, is this fair treatment? 1 say \ No. My honour and reputation as a referee I value too greatly, to allow,me to do anything underhand in the controlling of any match. It mattered not to me whether my son was playing or not, I give my decisions as a player infringes the rules of tire game, whether he be my son or not.

Now, sir, perhaps if I were to enlighten you of an actual happening last’ season, you may probably agree with me that this objection through my son is a io-i of Nonsense. 1 was appointed to referee Wanderers v. ■shannon at Shannon in the semifinal. Just prior to me match 1 was approached by two supporters of the Wanderer team, and was told that they were going to object when they heard of my appointment for this match as they were told that I was going to let the Shannon team win 1 Have you ever heard of anything so Ridiculous? My son was not a player in .the. Shannon team. I assure you, sir, I was greatly taken back. At half time l approached Mr T. Wrigley, who was then sole selector, and asked him if he itad heard any rumours to the above effect, and was

informed by him that he had also heard the rumours stated. Sir, I cannot get over such attitude for supporters of clubs to infuse such an unmanly spirit into members of their teams. It is hardly creditable. This

is not sport, but the right way to ruin the game. To read between the lines* I seem to be the stumbling block to the supporters of the Wanderer team. For what reason I know not. Is it because I do not allow myself to be carried away when they appeal during a game. I wonqler. I cannot see any reason whatever. As I have already stated,' my reputation as a referee is more to me than to endeavour to do other than what I consider right according to the rules. The opportunity that was offered on Saturday, was, I thought, the time of all times to prove beyond all doubt to the supporters and members of the Wanderer team and the local public generally, that I give any decisions as the rules are infringed by players, including my son, who fully understands that I would not show him any leniency whatever, as I term him as a player and that done when on the field of play. I resent this treatment. It causes a lot of uncalled for feeling. As you are aware, there is no one in the whole of the Horowhenua Union who has ‘been more honoured. by the N.Z. Rugby Union than I, in reference to controlling some of the most important matches that have taken place, viz., Springbok v. Hawkes Bay, New South Wales v. Wairarapa, N.Z. All Blacks v. N.Z. Maoris, N.Z. Maoris v. Wellington, and othei£. And mine was die only other name submitted with Mr Nielsen’s for final selection for the final test match, Springbok v. New Zealand. What higher honour do you need than this? I for one do not look for any bouquets, but the honour 1 greatly appreciate. I may here mention that on my return from Napier after the Springbok-Hawkes Bay match, I received a letter from Mr T. Winiata, secretary, on behalf of tile Wanderer Club, congratulating me on my appointment to such an important match and also congratulating me on my control of the game. Tiiis letter 1 still have in my possession, and I greatly appreciated the very nice remarks contained therein. Wliy then this change of front? Have 1 deteriorated to that extent in their once high estimation? It leads one to think tiiat those appreciative remarks referred to were not worth the paper they were written on. 1 officiate in a match when appointed for the sake? of the game, and not for any j personal gain. I

I can only imagine Wliat might have been when I allowed -that try to County, which would have been the deciding factor of the match. I again say: Supporters, do not infuse any unmanly spirit into your players, -land the game. It is not Sport. I 'will endeavour to explain the true .sense of the sport:—

On iny return from the CoinbinedHawkes Bay match at Palmerston N., I was speaking to Mr Rewi Moynihan, a player of the Shannon team, and one whom I have penalised more

than any one player in this Union. He told me that if they were lucky enough to be in the Anal, and that against the County team, they were going to ask for me - 10 officiate in the match. Sir, I ask you, what higher compliment than this can you pay to anyone? Why, 1 cannot fully express my .appreciation of such a high compliment. This is what 1 term sport, true sport, and every inch a sport! This is the spirit that is needed, the true British spirit, and the only spirit for the good of the game. Before concluding, and in fairness to Mr Jacob, captain of Wanderer team, I wish to state that there is no one in the district who holds him in higher admiration than I do. Not only for his characteristic personality, but for his playing abilities. He has but few peers as- a player throughout the Dominion. And I regret greatly that supporters infuse such unmanly actions into members of their teams as to object to anyone appointed to take charge of a match when they are only endeavouring to act to the best of their abilities, and for the sake of the good old gam©.— 1 Thanking you in anticipation. T. H. PARATA. Waikanae, 30/8/26.