STAR FOOTBALL CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1921, Page 6

STAR FOOTBALL CLUB.

• ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT, THE CLUB’S RECORD. There was an attendance of about one hundred at the Star Football Club’s smoke concert, which was held in the Kawaroa bungalow on Saturday night. Mr. Stan. J. Smith (president) occupied the chair. A number of toasts were honored in Customary style by the gathering, and the proceedings were enlivened by a variety of musical items.

In proposing the toast of the Taranaki Rugby Union the chairman referred to the many tasks which fell to this body in controlling the sport. Some of their work was unpleasant, but this was often due to the faults of players themselves in infringing the rules. He thought those who had come under this heading could congratulate themselves that the sentences meted out had been very mild. Rough play could not be excused; there was a difference between this and playing a hard game. The union wished players to make it a hard but a clean one. It had been unfortunate that the union did not have a more successful season, as the material was there. One match he •»particularly wished to refer to was that between the Springboks and Taranaki. It stood out prominently and the result reflected great credit on the Rugby Union, the officials and the selector. The result of this game showed that Taranaki, with a little coaching and training, could hold their own against any team that came this way. (Applause). • In the course of his reply, Mr. J. McLeod (chajrman of the Taranaki Rugby Union—“a much-maligned body sometimes,” he said) remarked that on many occasions he had pointed out that the union was just as good as the clubs made it, as the union embraced their representatives. They endeavored to do their best, and if mistakes occurred he could at least say that they were made conscientiously. The Star Club was deserving of a good deal of credit for what they had achieved during the season. They had gone very near to winning the B grade, and he had hoped they would reach the top, as he wanted to see two A grade teams jn New Plyj mouth. Mr. McLeod forecasted that ythe season would be opened about a fortnight earlier next year, and he appealed to every player to get fit at the commencement. In addition they should carry the team spirit right through during the intervening period. Proposing "The Referees’ Association,” Mr. A. L. Humphries remarked on the difficulty of procuring referees in his football days, and said that sometimes they had to send to Auckland for a man to referee a match between Tukapa and Star. This was due to the fact that no referees’ association existed then. Today players were in a much better position, a fact they owed to the existence of two associations in the province. In appealing to footballers to give their support to this body, Mr. Humphries said: “Never mind what the referee’s decision is, abide by it.” He added that there were some men who should be in the association but who would not join because they would not stand the criticisms of* the players; more power, therefore, he said, to the men who stuck to it.

Replying, Mr. G. Hopkins said the Referees’ Association was in its twentieth year. He invited any footballers who were retiring from active participation in the game to come along to. the Referees’ Association, where they would be welcome. If, as Mr. Humphries said, the criticisms were not quite so loud and so strong, possibly the Referees’ Association would not be considered such an evil. “Kindred Chibs” was proposed by Mr. A. L. Humphries, who pointed out that if it was not for kindred clubs ’they ; could not have sport; he therefore had ' much pleasure in welcoming represent a- ■ tives of other bodies. Football to-day ! was becoming a national and was to be taken seriously. If his services were of any use to the footballers he was quite willing to help, and would give them a lecture if desired. Players did not become Rugby footballers merely by going on the field and participating in a match. The man who got to the top of the tree learned his football when he got home after the match; it was then they played the match over again—summed up, their weak points, and learnt to correct these. Responding, Mr. C. Berg (Tukapa) congratulated the Star Club on their progress during the season. They had not won a competition, but came very near to securing the Dan O’Brien Shield. It would be an impetus to football in New Plymouth if this trophy moved around. Mr. Berg bespoke for club officials more support from individual members, and also put forward the suggestion that next season the Rugby Union should consider the question of helping chibs in the matter of insurance to players. Speaking on behalf of the Old Boys Club. Mr. R. Brokenshire justified the starting of this body. He.said they had been criticised on the score that New Plymouth could not support three clubs.

He did not think this argument was justified. Old Boys had come to stay and were out to play clean football, and he thought their admittance to the circle would make for the betterment of ,the came in Taranaki. ° The support which th,e Star Club had received from “The Ladies” in social functions, was mentioned by Mr. S. G. Smith. M.P., in proposing this toast, and he said the club were under a deep obligation for this assistance.