Club Strength Necessary

Because of the large percentage of boarders at Nelson College in the college teams particularly the top teams, club strengths have failed to rise as they should. Boarders return to their homes outside the province and are lost to senior Rugby here. Too often, because of this lack of experienced players, young players are promoted to senior ranks before their time. Their very immaturity, no matter what their skill, must tell against them in senior Rugby, and too often players of real potential are battered out of Rugby before they have hardened to the point where they will be of real value to their clubs and union. Here again, the strengthening of club membership through the elimination of secondary school teams in competitions, must eventually provide senior coaches with more players from which to select. Thus, the potential representative can be kept in a grade where he can mature until he is ready Tor big Rugby. This in turn must raise the standard of play and the interest of players and public alike.