The San Francisco call., 1909-02-21
RUGBY UNION MAY
BE ORGANIZED
ON COAST
Meeting TO Discuss Proposed
Governing Body Called
for Friday Night
By William UnmaCk

A meeting of the Pacific coast Rugby
referees union next Friday night will
probably be the means of firmly estab-
fishing Rugby here under a properly
organized union, whose voice will be
heard throughout the entire Rugby
playing world. The idea has as its
object the advancement and welfare OF
the game and viii appeal strongly to
the universities, schools, clubs, etc.
If the institutions playing Rugby are
properly organized under an authorita-
tive body, and this body an affiliated
apparent TO all that the future govern
ment of the game could not be better
placed.
The Idea was thrashed out at the
Pacific coast Rugby referees union
meeting last week and a special meet
ing was ordered for next Friday. The
present constitution OF the referees
union does not give it the scope to
handle such an important undertaking
as Rugby union. The coming meet
ing, however, will go into the matter
thoroughly and If approved the name
OF the referees union will probably be
changed TO the California Rugby union,
and the referees union will either be
reformed as a separate body or made a
part OF the major body.
The time has arrived when it is ex-
pedient that all Rugby aggregations
should combine. and possibly play a
schedule of championship games each
season. To this the universities ought
quickly TO acquiesce. as for them il
means an organized schedule of games
each Saturday, with definite cham
psonship object in view. There would
possibly be stumbling block when it
came 10 matching Stanford and Califor-
MIA on the schedule, but this difficulty
could easily be overcome by having the
big game between these two teams take
the place Of their championship fixture
under the Rugby union schedule.
The teams that met the Wallabies
TWO weeks ago amply demonstrated
that we are fast approaching the top
OF the Rugby ladder An organized
Rugby union viii help all concerned TO
gain that coveted place quicker than
anything else.
It is probable that such an organiza-
city every Saturday and play a game
there. This would bring the union q
big revenue in season and 1t would
not be very many years before the
union would be strong enough fnan-
cialy TO purchase a ground OF its
own, which could also be made to bring
IN Hduu5OIle ItluTHS IN the OH football
season.
The union would. without a doubt.
become an affiliated body OF the p c.
A A. This would materially strengthen
the unions standing in the amateur
athletic world.
The Rugby union would issue proper
amateur cards to all its members. and
on this point in particular the c. A. A
would be right behind the union
Several we'll known Stanford and
California men We're asked their views
on the subject during the week Each
one of them was heartily in favor of
the idea. Some of them saw obstacles
in the way, but after due consideration
they were of the opinion these could
easily be overcome. and they were
unanimous in their verdict that it would
be q splendid thing for the game here.
Every aggregation that would be a
member of the union would have equal
representation. Tt would in no wise
be a case of one man or one club irwin .
to control the situation
Delegates from California university.
Stanford university University of the
Pacific. Nevada university. St Mary's
college (Oalxlandl. Santa Clara college.
Academic high school league, Olympic
club, Barbarian athletic club Palo Alto
high school, San Jose high school. Santa
Clara high school and p. c. A. A. will
attend next Fridays meeting