FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. NEWS AND NOTES. THE FRENCHMEN’S VISIT There is no question, but that the tour of the South Africans last year caused a wonderful revival in the game of football throughout New Zealand, and there was every reason io anticipate that after the visit of the Frenchmen this year football in the Dominion would receive a further boost. The visit of the Frenchmen was eagerly looked forward to thrroughout the length and breadth of New Zealand, and has formed the subject of much talk in football circles,' whilst the doings of the French in football on tiie other side of tie world have been carefully watched, and the public have read with intereset the numerous articles that have been published in the papers regarding our prospective visitors. They would have been accorded a most enthusiastic reception, rivalling that of the Springboks. Footballers generally were getting out training earlier this year in anticipation of playing against the Frenchmen, and all round there was a very marked interest and enthusiasm that must have been reflected in the game.

The announcement that the trip was abandoned, earning as it did at the eleventh hour, naturally is a great disappointment to everyone. It was known that negotiations had not been too easy, but it was thought that every difficulty had been overcome. The abandonment of the tour is due to the fact that players must be back in time for the commencement of the championship matches, which open in October. This, with the delay owing to the sailing times not fitting in, would mean a very few weeks in the Dominion, and the tour would therefore result in a heavy financial loss. It was proposed to play about twentj’ matches in New Zealand, and three or four in Australia, the trip being estimated to cost well into £20,000. The South African trip cost £lB,OOO. The curtailment of the trip would, of course, mean lessened expense, but it would have meant much greater proportionately reduced revenue, and the tour would probably have ended in a loss. In view of the profits of the Springbok tour a loss of say £2OOO or £3OOO would not have been a serious matter and the New Zealand Rugby Union might reasonably have been called upon to risk this amount.

The disappointment felt has been voiced in resolutions passed by provincial Rugby unions, and it is pleasing to note that the New Zealand Rugby Union Is trying to arrange for a curtailed trip. If the fourteen proposed matches can be arranged there should be no loss, as it is probable that eleven centres could be got to guarantee amounts that, with- the takings of the three test matches would more than cover the expenses. It is to be hoped that every endeavor will be made to secure the visit. One can perhaps understand the attitude of the French authorities in not wishing for their players to be away from the championship matches. Football is as yet in its infancy in France, and though it has made remarkable strides during the last three or four years, international players are not yet so numerous «s to permit of say thirty being taken away without their absence being;., felt. PROVINCIAL CUP COMPETITIONS. Three weeks from to-day the Cup competitions in Taranaki will commence. By that time teams should be in good form, as players generally are talcing a keen interest in the game, and making a point of getting into training, a matter that has been neglected too much in the past. Indications point to the season being a very successful one. Entries, for the various competitions closed on Thursday, and show an increase in all grades. In all seventy-one teams have nominated, viz., nine senior A, six senior B, twenty-two first junior, 17 second junior, and 17 third junior. AU the junior grades have been divided into three divisions—North, South, and Central. The senior A teams remain the same as last year. Lepperton, winners of the last year junior competition, have joined the D grade, whilst Rahotu, who last year combined with Okato, have not entered a senior team this year, but have joined the juniors. Urenui, Cardiff, and N.P.B.H.S. are also additions to the first juniors, whilst Ngaere will also probably have a team. Urenui have also entered a team in the third grade. The fourth grade is also stronger. A healthy feature is the, interest taken in the lower grades, and, in order to provide a competition for school boys above primary school age and not old enough or good enough for the fourth grade, it has been decided to form a junior secondary schools competition. This was the outcome of a suggestion by Mr. Amess the new principal of the Stratford Technical High School, who is a keen supporter of the game. In this division there will probably be two Stratford teams, three or four from N.P. High, and also teams from Hawera and New Plymouth Tectnical Colleges. It, is, of course, too early yet to gauge the strength of the various clubs; Indeed, officials do not yet know with any degree of accuracy how their strength will compare with last, years, as they are busily engaged in looking up and trying out players. There has

been some movement of prominent players | from one district to another, but Taranaki has not lost any of those that did battle for it in the representative fixtures last year. It Is reported that rep. players from Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Auckland and Wellington are stationed in Taranaki. Time will prove their worth. It is, however, advisable for all players to get fit and keep fit, as there is the Taranaki team’s Southern tour in view this year, and also the probability of a New Zealand team going to Australia this year, and a trip to Africa next jyear.

In comtfnemoration of that great footballer, the later David Gallagher, captain of the famous "All Blacks,” the Auckland Rugby Union proposes to ask the delegates’ sanction to provide a cup, to be known as "The Gallagher Memorial Challenge Cup,” for competition among senior clubs.

The value of Rugby, the progress of the game and the present day quality were briefly dealt with by Colonel G. F. C. Campbell during tis remarks at the forty-fourth annual meeting of the Athletic Football Club, Wellington. "We had a visit last year from the South Africans," he said. "The more we hear of these international visits of amateur Rugby teams the less we hear of the League game. They are doing a vast amount of good to sport in the Dominion, apart entirely from Rugby. It behoves each of us to do all we ean to improve the standard of the game and raise It to the level it was on before the war. All the Rugby clubs in New Zealand will be striving in that direction this year. This large attendance is a good 'kick-off' on our part. The quality of Rugby play is as sound now as in the days before the war took toll of our ranks. During the years 1914-18 sport could not be maintained and we, readily conceded the altered state of affairs. The old standards had perforce to suffer. You are all now faced with the task of maintains the pitch l to which our national sport has been brought since the war, and, wherever practicable, to improve it further.” THE SOCCER GAME. (Contributed.) This grand old game should receive a. good fillip in the near future owing to the impending visit to this country of players from our sister Dominion Australia. A match Tas been secured for this province for June 28, and . is to be played at New Plymouth. A favorable hearing has been given by the Sports Committee, who have promised that if at all possible the Recreation ground will be available. There is only one fly in the ointment, and that is that the New Zealand Association is not able to allow us to have a Saturday match. Still, seeing that the match will practically be an International affair perhaps the city fathers will help us by recommending a half holiday. The Tourist League should also . take a hand in the matter for it must be a good advertisement to tte town to have visits like these from overseas, especially the team which is coming, seeing that New Plymouth is the nearest port to Australia and in the future we are hoping that it will be the first and last port of call for vessels to and from The Club are very grateful to the band of public-spirited men in New Plymouth who have guaranteed the amount asked for by the New Zealand Football Association towards any loss.there may be on the tour. Perhaps it would not be out of place to (mention the great strides Soccer has made since the war, owing, no doubt, to the number of New Zealanders who fell in love with the game while away on service. There are now over ninety teams playing the Soccer code in Wellington each Saturday afternoon, and about fifteen school teams playing each Friday afternoon. Tke game has only to be seen and the rules studied for the game to get a fair following of the sporting public. The New Plymouth team, while not claiming to be in the same class as the best clubs in the big cities, has some very promising players, and are hoping to get several new recruits this season. Their farst practice will be held at the Agricultural Show Grounds to-day (Saturday), April 1. All intending players and supporters are asked to make a point of attending. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. MR. DOOLEY INJURED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney. March 30. Mr. Dooley sprained an ankle while surfing, and it is expected he will have to remain in bed for a month. SHARK HERO AS ACTOR. Sydney, 3O. Jack Chalmers, the Coogee sha/k hero, has accepted the part of a film hero, the scene of the etory being on a desert island. ROSS’ APPEAL. March 30. The hearing of Ross’ Appeal was continued, and every pofnt raised by his counsel was closely questioned by the five judges. The public are apathetic.