AUCKLAND HOCKEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 7, 30 March 1927, Page 6

AUCKLAND HOCKEY

A SUCCESSFUL SEASON In the annual report of the Auckland Hockey Association, presented by the chairman, Mr. Arthur Playle, it is stated that the hockey season during the past year had been one of the most successful since the inception of the association in 1903. Chiefly due to the visit of the Indian Army team the income and expenditure account discloses a profit of £143 14s lOd for the year. In all, 44 teams had entered in the grade championships, this being seven more than in the previous year. All these teams, continued the report, showed the greatest keenness throughout the numerous competitions which were organised, and even when heavy rain marred the success of the sports tournament carnival their style of entering into the sport resulted in many close contests. Reference was also made to Country AVeek, when hockey players from the outlying districts were given an opportunity to view the Indian hockey team in action. The competition for the White Horse Cup was of a keen and exciting nature and entries were received from sub-associations, Tauranga, Waipa, Franklin, Rodney, Whangarei and Piako. Waipa again won the coveted trophy and thus constituted a new record, being the first sub-association to win the cup three times in succession. Rodney as run-ners-up again took the Captain White Cup home. During the past season the committee had been successful in introducing the game into two more secondary schools in the city and teams from the Auckland Grammar School, the Mount Albert Grammar School and the Seddon Technical College participated in the association’s grade competitions during the past season. The winning of the Rankin Memorial Cup by the Auckland Grammar School carried with it the secondary schools championship of New Zealand. Although £SO was spent in providing gear for the primary schools it was considered to have been well spent, for among the many entrants for the competitions were four schools where hockey had not been previously played. Mention was also made to the uncertain position which still exists regarding grounds. The association had at present a definite tenure of the grounds until September 30 next, but the Dilworth Trust Board had the right of terminating the tenancy after that date by a previous six months’ notice. In commenting on the report the chairman said that the year in‘general had been most successful. The game was continuing to grow in popularity and the same keenness and good fellowship which for many years has marked the game in Auckland was again in evidence. He anticipated that the forthcoming year would be another of marked success.