The San Francisco call., 1913-08-17
SAN FRANCISCO
To HAVE GROUNDS
FOR RUGBY GAME
All Other Branches Of Ath-
letic Sports Will Be
Cared For in Proper
Manner
BY WILLIAM UNMACk

u iotdA dfnatcuE Spo4tS III BcHcIdi HAS
been launched by the California Rugby
union in the formation OF what will
practically be corporation OF Rugby
enthusiasts who will pledge themselves
to raise s25o.0oo in the next 10 years
for the purchase and upkeep of grounds
in the city itself
The project is big one, and is being
undertaken primarily for the purpose
of giving Rugby football suitable
turfed grounds on which to play That
Is OF course, the primary object. but
the Rugby union has the interests of
all other branches OF athletic games
and sports In sight. and one of the fea-
lures of the ground will be a running
track of at least five laps TO the mile.
The suggestion for this big scheme
comes from l. s. Reading. the vice
president of the Rugby union He pro-
poses to get a membership Of 5000, of
which $500 names have already been
signed and pledged TO pay s25 within
the next 10 years in annual INSTALL
ments OF $250.
GROUND IN SIGHT
A ground is already under observa-
tion- and il is possible that II will be
ready for the 1914 football season The
subscribers TO the fund are to Be given
priority of seats at all events taking
place on the grounds Special seats
for the associate members. OF the
Rugby unioR-as the subscribers will
be known-will occupy the choice loca-
tion on the immense reinforced grand
stand that is 10 be erected. The stand
will have accommodations for $4,000
spectators
Besides the purchasing of a ground.
the formation of the associate mem
bership branch of the union has In
view the hiring OF paid secretary for
the Rugby union and the financing Of
all international tours.
Vice President L 5. Reading. in speak
ing of the matter yesterday. said:
Such an organization will perma-
nently put Rugby football on it's feet IN
this state. Besides that, we will be in a
position to supply the public of San
Francisco with an athletic ground
which the city is badly in need Of
There is not another city in the country
which Is - badly fxed for grounds as
San Francisco is. I feel confident that
the scheme can be worked out success
fully, and the grounds will pay for
themselves. We anticipate having the
grounds used for all manner of sports
and would not be surprised TO find It in
use every day of the year once 1t is es-
tablished-
WILL GET SIGNERS
The Idea OF securing 5000 subscribers
to such an undertaking may seem out
OF the question, but 1 already have
nearly 2.0o0 names pledged to pay life
membership dues OF SIS for the privi-
lege of having special seats secured for
themselves for all time on the grounds
for all events conducted there It is
proposed that special section of the
stand be set aside for our associate
members. while the balance will be
open TO the public
The Rugby union, at its last meeting,
unanimously fndorsed the project and
vice President Reading. Doc Burbank
and W. Donald were appointed a COM
mfttee TO draw up q definite plan of
action TO be placed before the next
meeting The committee was also given
full power to continue with the ar
rangements and close any deals neces-
sary.
The union is profiting by many les
sons learned last year, and at the next
meeting OF the union a selection COM
mitee will be elected to pick the ALI
America team which Is to play New
Zealand in the final game OF the tour.
This Is a move in the right direction,
and will give the men elected to the
selectorship an opportunity to see all
the players during the season and size
up the situation for the purpose Of put
ting the best team in the field for the
big international game
SIZE OF COMMITTEE
There Is a difference of opinion in
the union as to whether the commit
tee should consist OF three or five men.
the majority. however, favoring the
smaller number of selectors. There is
no doubt that the smaller the number
of selectors the more efficient the work.
sofI Ixv
combination. and would be likely to
cause a deadlock over certain players.
All Rugby playing countries Of the
world conform to the three men" se-
lection committee for naming interna-
tionaI teams for big games. The trio
has proved to be an unqualified success
IN New Zealand. all over Australia.
South Africa England. Scotland. ire
land and many European countries
where the game IL played
As matter Of fact. there have been
times in those countries where the
Rugby unions have relied on the juds-
ment of a single man TO select the rep
resentative teams. one of the AUS
tralian unions selections having been
handled by one selector-Fred Lea
for more than 10 yeass. and he gave
universal satisfaction
CHANCE FOR MISTAKE
In the local situation IT will be
mistake to make the committee too
large The three men committee last
year proved its capabilities by putting
wonderful team In the field against
the Australians
The work OF that trio OF selectors
could not have been improved on in
any part OF the world. They showed
their knowledge of what Is necessary
to pick such an international team.
and they made their selections without
prejudice and without partisanship
They picked the best men. irrespective
of the afiliations of the players It is
such q committee az this that is again
wanted.
The Rugby union intends to supply
coaches to any high school or other
teams which makes application for such
services
with this in view. the union has de-
cided 20 register any coaches who send
In their names, and As acquisitions
come for coaches these tutors will be
applied from the union register.
The union intends to strictly adhere
to the amateur rule this season. and
no player will be allowed to take part
In any games unless he can show strict
conformity TO the amateur rule.
Last season several Of the union
riavers rot s1nDutch- with thespacidc
association for playing with profeo-
etonal coaches No professfonAf coaches
w7ifbe allowed to participate in any Of
the games In the coming season.
rnxrcH LIKE nAsx1ALL
]. TIE French youtn. erer % the lookout for 4
p@w xane Il nrw deve!1pinx I erest taste tor
ssseban. Football h.vtns quietly sseone ths