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The Nelson Photo News

 

39

Amalgamation?

So what's the answer? The obvious one, and one that has already been suggested tentatively by Nelson, is amalgamation, or, alternatively, Some Form of amalgamation. But there is a stumbling block, and it is the parochial prejudices of some Bays' officials (who in turn have a big influence on their club's thinking). We feel they should amalgamate, for the benefit of both unions. The union would then become a Provincial union, not a city and a country union. Consider the strongest of the minor unions in New Zealand. They all have call upon players from The Whole Of The Province. We realise there are problems, mainly geographical ones, within the Bays union, but other unions had them too and overcame them. We wholeheartedly favour a discussion between representatives of both unions when proposals can be examined, discussed and thrown out if necessary. And if the feeling is still the same, then at least they could consider combining the sides to play two, three or four games a year together against major unions.

Let's return briefly to the records. In the last 20 years Bays have met unions outside the Seddon Shield district 37 times. They won seven of these games, against minor unions. The last win was in 1958 - nine years ago. Nelson, in the same time, has played 40 games, won 11 and drawn three - the last wins in 1963, 64 and 65.

While players have a duty to their union, so also do the unions have a duty to the players. Some may think the unions are fulfilling this duty by providing the players with a game of Rugby and are prepared to let the matter rest there. But they also have a duty to their players in this respect -that they give them a chance to taste success and to reach a standard which might qualify them for island or All Black honours.

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Mr Ron Blomfield, member of Bays union committee: "My personal view is that the two unions could have a discussion on amalgamation. There are problems."

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Mike Delany, ex-Nelson full back: "I would like to see some form of amalgamation, especially, combined teams against major unions. I feel also boys are commencing competitive Rugby too soon. Sixth grade is early enough."

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Mr Jim Rowling, of Motueka, a coach for eight years: "In view of past records I think the time is long overdue when the unions should get together to discuss some form of amalgamation."

40

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Mr Don MacLean, former Nelson representative and president of Celtic club: "Amalgamation has to come and it's only a matter of time. Players in both unions would be keen to see it. While playing together as a combined team against major unions has merit, it is not the answer. That's only dodging the issue. There may be obstacles, but obstacles are always easy to find."

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The Wanderers club's scrum machine (there's no better in New Zealand) on display during the Seddon Shield processional

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The Bays team at training at Rugby Park, Motueka, where co-selectors Guy Bowers and Ron Horsley have to spend a lot of time on physical fitness training.

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Mr Alan Peterson, Rugby commentator in Nelson for the last 23 years: "Against a background of growing up in the Southland union, I have always found it hard to understand the division of the Nelson province. I have always believed in the two unions coming together and I always will. The local unions should seek the assistance of other unions such as Taranaki and Southland who have tackled this problem in two different but highly successful ways."