RUGBY FooTBALL UNION (-

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held at the MAY FAIR HOTEL, LONDON, on Friday, 27th June, 1958, at 5 p.rn.

The following Clubs (341) were represented: ~ Aldershot Services Civil Service Ùnion Harrow School Army R.U. Clifton HartIepool Old Boys Mons Officer Cadet School Colchester Hayle 3 Trg. Regt. R.E. Colfes Gramniar School Hayle Colts R.A.P.C. Trg. Centre Combined Binlüngham Old Boys Headingley A.C.C. Trg. Centre Coopers' Company School Hendon 6 Trg. Regt. R.E. Cornwall AT.C. Hertfordshire Union 1 Trg. Regt. R. SignaIs Cornwall Colts Hitchin 28 Bn. R.A.O.C. Cornwall COUlÙy Union H.M.S. Flying Fox 2 Trg. Bn. R.A.S.c. Cornwall Junior Group Hoiman Sports 26 Field Regt. R.A Cornwall Schdols Honourable Artillery Company Depot & T.E. R.AM.C. Cornwall TecIf. College Hornets Royal Engineers Coventry 1 Hove Scottish Command Crawley Hoylake School of Military Survey Cuaco Tbis Alliance Davenport Ilford Wanderers Ashfold School Derby Tnland Revenue Aston Old Edwardians Devon Countyl Insurance Offices' Union Aylestonians Didcot ' K.C.S. Old Boys Banbury Dorset & Wilt~. Union Kent County Union Bank of England Durham Couniy Union King Edward VI School Barbarian E.A.c. . (Nuneaton) Barclays Bank Ealing King Edward's Scbool Basildon Eastern Counties Schools Union Kingsbridge Beckenham Eastern Countles Union Kodak Bec Old Boys East Midlands:Union Launceston Bedford Ely Lawrence Sheriff School Berkshire County Union Esber Leeds Grammar School Bickley Park séhool Esso (Fawley) ~ Leeds University Biggleswade Eton Manor Leicester Billingham Exiles Leicestershire County Union Birmingham City OfficiaIs Fairbairn House Letchworth Blackheath Falmouth . Lewes Bournemouth Falmouth One' & AU Lewes County School Bowdon Finchley Lichfield Bramley Old Boys Five Ways Old Edwardians Lincoln Bristol Ford Sports Lincolnshire Union Bristol & Dist. Combination G.E.C. London Liverpool Bristol University Gidea Park Lloyds Bank Broad Plain Gloucestershird County Union London Rugby Union Burnage Gonville & Caius College London Irish . Camborne School of Mines Gosforth London Scottish Cambridgeshire Union Gravesend London Transport Camp Hill Old Edwardians Great Ballard School Lord Wandsworth College Camel Great WesterndRailway (London) Loughborough College Carlisle Guildford & odalming Ludlow Chartered Bank Guys Hospital. Ludlow Grammar School Cheltenham Haberdashers' Askes School Lyons City of Liverpool Hampshire Collllty Union Macclesfield College of Building Handsworth Malsis Scbool City of London School Harlequins May & Baker Civil Service Harrow ;--., Metropolitan Police .' 1 Met. Police X Division Oid Pauline Salisbury Middlesbrough Old Purleians Seaford Middlesex Union Oid Rutlishian Sevenoaks Mill Hill Old Silhillians Sheffield Minehead Barbarians Old Twickenhamlans . Shelford Mounts Bay Old Wandsworthian Shirley Wanderers Morpeth Old Edwardians Old Warwickian_ Silver Wing Moseley Old Westc1iffians Slough Mount Grace Comp. SchooI. Oriel College Solihull Napier Orrell Somerset County Union National Provincial Bank Osterley Southern Railway Newark Otley Stafford Newbold on Avon Oxfordshire Union Staffordshire New Brighton Park House Staines Newbury Penryn Standard Bank of South Africa Newport Penryn Colts Streatham Newport (Salop) Penzance & NewIyn Surrey County Union North Dorset Penzance County'Grammar Sussex County Union North Midlands Union Percy Park School Sussex Schoois Union Northumberland Union Pinner Sutton Norwich Port of London Authority Sutton Coldfield Nottingham & Dist. Tech. Coll. Police A.A. Sutton Valence Schooi Nottingham Union Prestwich Swindon Notts. Lincs. & Derbys. Union Public Schools Wanderers Tamworth & District Nuneaton Reading Trentham (Staffs) Nuneaton Old Edwardians Reading School Trinit y College, Cambridge Okehampton Redruth Trinity School of John Whitgift Old Albanian Richmond Trojans Old Alleynian Rochester Twickenham Old Anchorian Rockliff United Banks Old Askean Rosslyn Park United Hospitals Old Azurians R.A.F. Union University Vandals Old Birkonian R.A.F. Bawdsey Upper Clapton Old Brockleians R.A.F. Cardington Wakefield Old Citizens R.A.F. Catterick Wallasey Grammar School Old Creightonian (London) R.A.F. H.Q. Fighter Command Walsall . Old Dartfordian R.A.F. H.Q. Bomber Command Wanstead Oid Dixonians R.A.F. H.Q. No. 1 Group Warlingham Old Elthamians R.A.F. Bawtrey Warwickshire Union Old Elizabethans (Barnet) R.A.F. Hendon Wasps Oid Edwardians R.A.F. Locking Waterloo Old Erithians R.A.F. Leeming - : Welwyn Oid Esthamians R.A.F. Lyneham Westcliff High School Old Freemens R.A.F. Melksham Westeombe Park Old Fullerians R.A.F. Middleton St. George West Herts Old Gaytonians R.A.F. Shawbury Westminster Bank Old Grammarians R.A.F. Thorney Island Westminster Hospital Oid Guildfordians R.A.F. Swan ton Morley West Norfolk Oid Haberdashers R.A.F. Swinderby Westoe Oid Haileyburians & I.s.e. R.A.F. Upwood Weston -su per-Mare Old Hertfordians R.A.F. Wilmslow Whitgift Sehool Old Instonians R.A.F. Wyton Wimbledon College Old Leodiensian Royal Aircraft Establishment Wimborne Old Leysian Royal Veterinary College Windsor Old Lutonians Rugby . Wisbech Oid Masonians St. Barts Grammar SchooI Wolverham pton ,Old Merchant Taylors St. Catherines Society Woodford Old Millhillians St. Columba r Woodpeckers Old Mitchamians St. Day Worcs. & Herefords Schools Old Northamptonians St. Erbyn's Sehool Union Oid Nottinghamians St. Helens Rec. Worcester O1d Novocastrian St. Pauls Schooi Worthing High School Old Oxford Citizens Sale Yorkshire County Union 2 ~.

The Notice convening the Meeting was read by the Secretary. The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 28th June, 1957, were confirmed and signed. Mr. A. Marshall: -" As is customary, the Report which is bcfore you and which 1 ask you to accept is in the nature of a synopsis of the happenings of t~e past season. It also reflects in sorne measure the work of 'your Committee during the year under review, but only in a general way, for no report could coyer adequately the thousand and one items of debate and the ramifications of the Administration in general. The Report has been circulated ta aU Clubs and brief referençeneed be made ta certain only of the several paragraphs. ln the matter of congratulations-it is perhaps invidious to mention names in a field of much com­ munal effort and that is why none is printed in this Report, but the services of certain people caU for special remark. International Matches. , We congratulate the players on their being chosen ta represent England, and especiaUy the Chairman of Selectors, Mr. Carston Catcheside, on the success of their choosing, and thank him for his vast interest and work. Twickenham. Covered by the two-line announcement that al! is now weU with the South Terrace is a success story of many and anxious meetings, of conflicting advices from experts, of bold decisions difficult to determine and with heavy responsibilities attaching, resulting finally in a reduction of expenditure amounting to man y thousands of pounds.· Our thanks and congratulations are due to the Ground Committee and to its Chair­ man, Mr. Ramsay. Laws. The considerable work of the previous year in preparing for the meeting of the International Board in January la st has been matched this year with the work of analysing and !Împlementing the conclusions reached by that Body. The Chairman of your Laws Committee, Mr. Cyril Gadney, has shouldered bis responsibility in a way inimitable and typical of his thoroughness in these matters: we should be failing, did ':0 we not give expression to our thanks and appreciation. Insurance. It is difficult to understand that less than halCthe Clubs in membership with the Union have thought fit ta avail themselves of the admirable coyer provided by the Unions' Insurance Scheme at such low cast. The Scheme is recommended for careful consideration by all those Clubs not already participating. Loans. . It is under this heading that the function of the Union to give tangible aid ta Clubs and to the game generally is most apparent. A vast amount of work is involved each year in the negotiation of loans, and the services of the Hon. Asst. Treasurer, Mr. Eddie Saunders, in tbis matter must not go unremarked. Charitable Trust. Much good can accrue from the setting up C1f a charitable trust and the project has been brought ta fruition largely. through the pertinacity and drive displayed by Sir Wavell Wakefield, at one time in the face of sorne opposition-great credit is due to him. : Television •. By and large, the television of matches has contributed to a marked expansion of the field of interest in our game, to its ultimate good. Our aim must be to secure that Rugby Union Football is always presented in a light compatible with its tradition for robust, full-blooded sportsmanship, goodwill, and good fellowship. School Leavers. 15 years to 16 years. The question of catering for these boys is presenting a problem which is fast becoming nation-wide, and it is a complex one, especially in those Counties where no provision has been maqe in the past. Your Committee has debated the subject at length and f~èls that perhaps the County Constituent Bodies are best fitted to make the initial move towards securing an organised and unified attempt to meet the needs locally. In conclusion, a ward to the general personnel of our Counties and our Clubs-Officers, Committee men, and other helpers-and on the visits 1 have been able ta make. . It is uplifting, and yet a humbling experience' for any President to discover what is being done by so many in sa many ways, to present our game ta the young men of our land, to foster and develop it when

3 it has been taken up, and to maintain it in those places where it has become the accepted thing-all without any thought of kudos, glamour or like reward. To yoJ and to those thousands of you up and down the Country who are giving in this way so generously, we déclare our acknowledgment of your services and our warmest thanks and approbation. ; My personal thanks 1 give to those scores of y~u who contrived to make my visits to your Clubs memorable, and so very enjoyable; my personal apologies and regrets for those other occasions which because of illness and various reasons had to be foregone Gentlemen, 1 ask you to be kind enough to accept these few remarks of mine in conjunction with the Report which is before you." The report was adopted.! Accounts. "In calling upon Mr. Ramsay to present the Acqmnts 1 am sure you would wish me to express for you our appreciation of his wortb. ,l,~ A lot has been said, and oft-times repeated, in the' matter of thanks to him, but when the last word on the subject is spoken we shaH still have said not enoilgh to express to him our full thanks and gratitude for aIl the work he bas done and is still doing for Rugt5y Football on our behalf." . ) Statement of Accounts, Season 1957-58. . 1 The Honorary Treasurer, Mr. W. C. Ramsay, presented tbe Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet for the year ended 30th April, 1958, and moved its adoption. The motion was seconded by Mr. G. A. Wb'arton (Notts. Lincs. & Derbyshire), and carried unanimously. J Election of Otficers for Season 1958-59. ( Mr. Marshall: - " Before -submitting to you the Ilames of the Officers for next year for your formaI acceptance, and, before vacating the Chair, 1 would lik~ publicly to thank aIl of you for supporting me so loyally during the past year. ' The many gestures of friendship, the tolerance ând the understanding and help 1 have had from aIl sides have made my task a pleasant one and this applies especiaHy to my CoHeagues on your Committee, and the Secretary and his Staff at Twickenham, and myspecial thanks go to them aH. The names before the Meeting are: - i, President ... Wing Commander J. LAWSON, C.B.E. · P 'd t {J., A. TALLENT, Esq., O.B.E., T.D. V Ice- resl en s ... B'Xlga d'1er A . RAD . SLETT, .. S 0 . Hon. Treasurer ... W. C. RAMSAY, Esq. 1 and 1 formally declare them elected." ,f "Wing Commander J. Lawson requires little, if; any, introduction, for to the great majority of you he is already weH known. 1 1 He has represented the R.A.F. on the Committee of the Rugby Football Union since 1945. He is the tirst of them to be President. 1 He holds the onerous post of Director of Sport Royal Air Force. 1 He was Hon. Sec. of the Royal Air Force R.F.u! for 21 years. A referee of repute-having refereed the Finalhrial in 1938 and many County Matches. And, judging by his uncanny knowledge of what was happ6ning in the underground movements in the scrum during my playing days, he must also have been a player of sorne dis-repute! 1 can assure you of his innate love of our game and can commend him to you!with confidence as not only able but utterly worthy." Wing Commander J. Lawson: - "May 1 say at ~nce how much the Royal Air Force in general, and myself in particular, appreciate the honour you have ~one the Service by electing me to the highest office of the game. ~ . 1 It is sorne 37 years since the Royal Air Force affiliated to the Rugby Union, and nearly 40 sin ce the Royal Air Force Rugby Union was formed. 1 was a folInder member. Over that period we have done our best to uphbld the traditions of the game, and to achieve a high standard of play. With all modesty, 1 claim with sonie success. 1 am very proud indeed to become the tirst representative from the Royal Air Force to become President. 1 will endeavour to match up to the very high standard of my predecessors, and to justify the con­ fidence you have so kindly placed in me for the coming season. 1 1 would like now to refer to my predecessor,IArthur Marshall. If 1 were asked to point out one person to who the game, with the Player, was a first: and foremost consideration, 1 should point to Arthur Marshall without a moment's hesitation. Resolute of Ourpose and regardless of popularity, he bas counselled wisely, and 1 shan do my best to keep on the same linês., If 1 do, 1 shall not have failed. 1 should like on behalf of my col!eagues and ;,myself, and 1 am sure on behalf of an present, to thank him for his contribution to the benefit of the gam l, and express the hope that we shall have the benefit of his guidance and experience for a long time to com.e. The game proceeds in popularity, and as you ~ave heard there are significant increases in membersbip. lndeed, there are now sorne 1,700 Clubs and Sch901s affiliated, which is an increase of 100 per cent in 10 years. Ji. Rugby Football is in a very healthy state irli this country, and we should be careful to keep it that way and realise that to do so caUs for persistent e~ort. It is mu ch more difficult to keep up a standard than to achieve it. The Rugby Union is playing it~ part in many ways to keep it that way in pursuance of its policy that Clubs and the Players are the backbone of the game. Every decision 'made is based on that policy, bearing in mind the game as it affects the ~~:hole of the country. A very. important policy is loans to Clubs. ,\You have seen from the Report of the Committee, that some f42,000 was loaned last year, and that is a re 'ord, but 1 would like you to know that over f320,000 has been loaned since that policy was determined. Ii The terms are simple, the interest is small, but the dividends in other ways are immense. We are man y times quoted as being a wealthy body. AIl will agree that we are, but at the same time we are a very healthy body because aIl our investments are in Clubs andfi,' for the benefit of Clubs. In other words, aIl available money is put back into the game by way of Clubs. IThat should adequately explain the reason for the most recent increase in the price of tickets at Twickenha, . We must, however, remember that whilst w~ cannot do without finance, our game lives by the spirit, which must be apparent both on and off the field'I: and shared by all. The effect of its character-building qualities, added to the camaraderie after the game, i~ of the greatest importance, and goes on for a lifetime. Here 1 would like to pay tribute to the man~, local authorities up and down the country who have been, and are being of great assistance to Clubs. They have rendered excellent service to our ga,me which i8 thoroughly appreciated by aIl of us, and of WhiChP am sure they will have no cause to regret. Also 1 would like to add our appreciation to tHe many helpers of both sexes who play su ch an important part by doing the essential ch ores of the Clubs, andl!all that goes with it. There are thousands of them, and it is fitting. that they should receive an honourable mention. A very pleasant reminder that ours is a PUrelY amateur game. We thank them an, and look forward to their continued efforts. f,: We have no Dominion visitors tbis season, b~t before we meet again a Lions side will have started their tour of Australia and New Zealand, where 1 amlr sure they will be received with the enthusiasm which is traditional of those countries. We wish them a lot bf fun and good hunting. Il The continued expansion of Our game has ôrought its problems, and they will not get any the less important. The provision of grounds is a main one. \As you know, many schools have turned over to rugger. l believe that those who play the game at schooI, 10 so because they enjoy it, and appreciate the purely amateur aspect of it. 1; That is a challenge to us and our immediate ~im must be to provide the facilities for them to continue to play and enjoy the game after they leave school.l; 1 am sure that constituent bodies are aware ~f the necessity for this, and will, with the usual ingenuity inherent in all Rugby Footballers, overcome most ofll, the problems, including the provision of grounds. They also know that any help that it is possible for the R\Jgby Union to give, will be forthcoming . .1 would stress at once that th~ Rugby .Union jjhas a~ no time ~r in any.way applied any pressure, direct or indIrect, on any person or formatIOn to brmg abo,ut thlS conversIOn. It IS purely spontaneous. We are not in competition with any other game, but depend l:on the appeal our game makes to the individual. AU games have their part to play, but We are determj',ned to concern ourselves with those who wish to play Rugby Football. " ' , . Travelling around, 1 have found that the quaÙties of character building, coupled with the enjoyment of the game, on and off the field by a11 and sundrY,I,play a very big part, and, with one possible exception.

1 15 r . \ \ 1

there is always a game for them after they have left schobl. The exception is the lad who, at the age of 15, leaves the county secondary modern school, comprehensive, or even the grammar school. It is true that a small percentage can stay at school until they are 16, 'but a lot leave at 15. This is an urgent problem, as those lads who have been taught rugger at school are, at that age, too young to enter into the rigours of Club football. ; The 15's and over 15's are still at school and are'batered for at the moment by nearly aIl counties, and some counties are looking after the lads who leave at the age of 15, but aIl counties and constituent bodies must fill this very important need by shouldering the responsibility and ensuring that the leavers get as much rugger as possible. Your Committee have every confidence that the y will be provided for adequately in that way. 1 would like to say that 1 have great confidence in ithe youth of this country, and believe that there is little wrong with them, but it is the way they are helped along at a difficult age that matters. We consider it a privilege to provide as many as want to play our game with facilities to do so, and thereby not only help the lads, but play a part in making them good citizens. : 1 A word On the laws. The new laws are now known, and if accepted and played in the spirit in which they were agreed, should mean that much less whistle .iwill be heard. Referees will keep the game going within the laws, and it is up to the player to do the sam~. A grumble at why the whistle went will in the main be the fauIt of the player. \ A great deal of time was spent by the Laws Committee in studying the new laws, and they have always been in close touch with our representatives on the Intemational Board. The aim has been to ensure open football and to satisfy as man y as possible. It is right that you should know that rnany of the suggestions put forward by the Rugby Union were accepted by the International Board. And that speaks well for the Laws Committee. A word about referees. Great and extremely v~luable work is being done by the many referees' societies all over the country, and our thanks are duel to them for it. There is, however, still room for improvement in the standard, especially in the so-called' Minor Club Games and games in which youngsters are getting their early taste of Club rugger. With many! more playing the game, many more referees are needed, and it must be remembered that junior Clubs need referees, and good ones at that. 1 1 would appeal to an referees' societies to make' further efforts to improve standards, b'earing in mind that the game is more enjoyable for everybody when efficiently refereed. 1 Great trouble is taken by the Referees' Appointrrients Committee in appointing referees for county games, but much depends upon the counties who nomina:te referees for this important task. The standard required is a high one, and only those of this standard dm hope to be appointed. . 1 would like to paya tribute to our two representatives on the International Board, Sir Wavell Wake­ field and W. C. Ramsay. They put in a lot of work on the Board and also outside' it. It is sufficient to say that the representatives from Commonwealth Countriès were impressed by the honesty and purpose of their reasoning, and were satisfied that the game and player$ were the first consideration. Furthermore, they were agreed that the future of both was in capable hands. Ol,lr two representatives deserve our congratulations and thanks. : We do not always want to be tinkering about with the laws just for the sake of changes, and there is no doubt that the International Board is determined tobaintain the character of the game and not to spoil it in any way. Whilst doing so, and preserving the prinCiples of the game, we must not, in my view, fail to study any suggested changes with a view to adopting only those that may be considered of real b'enefit to the game, and more particularly to the average player. : J 1 would like to thank the Press for their help and ask them to continue their interest in the reporting of the game. They play an ever-increasing and weighty' part in our game, and 1 am sure they will remember that when doing their job. : 1 would ask all who play a part in any measure( whatsoever to remember that enjoyment of the game is the objective, and must be first and foremost in our, minds at aU times. . 1 1 am looking forward with great enthusiasm to the coming season, and with the support of all will do my best to match up to aU requirements as have the stalwarts who have fiUed this great office in the past." Auditors, 1958-59. \ Major-General R. F. E. Whittaker (Kent County), proposed the re-e1ection of Messrs. Gillespie Bros. & Co., 43 Chandos Place, London, W.C.2, and at the same time expressed the Unions' thanks for their valuable assistance during the past year. This was seconded by Mr. H. R. Frisby (Surrey County) and carried unanirnously. '

6 ,: BYE-LAWS OF THE RUGBY FOOT ALL UNION Sir Wavell Wakefield, on behalf of the R.F.U. ommittee, proposed the adoption of the alteration ta Bye-Laws land 40 now to read as follows: - . Bye-Law 1. "The name shall be THE RUGBY FOOTBALL NION-hereinafter called "the Union." The objects of the Union shan be the furtherance of the int rests of Rugby Union Football, the active encouragement of the playing of the game and the promotion of charity. The headquarters shaIl be at Twickenham." Bye-Law 40. "The Committee shall appoint six of its numbe . ta be Trustees, in whose names or under whose legal control the Committee may from time ta time vest any funds and property of the Union. Such funds and property and the income thereof shall be held applieq and dealt with by the sa id Trustees or by the Survivors or Survivor of them as directe by the Committee PROVIDED that the CO'mmittee shall not direct the application of the said funds and pro perty or the incarne thereof for or towards any purpose inconsistent with the abjects of the Un bn. The power of appointment of new trustees shaIl be exercisable by the Committee." 1 The proposaI was seconded by Mr. W. C. Ra say and carried unanimously. New Bye-Iaw. Proposed by the Committee. "Tours or matches carried out by teams spo sored or raised by individuals, other than for a special occasion or celebration of a Club, are in general conidered ta be contrary to the best interests of Rugby Union football. Application for permission ta play any mtch where one or both teams are sponsored or raised by an individu al must be made to the Rugby Football : ion, and the accounts of these matches, together with details of aIl expenses, must be submitted to the Union l'

, 1 Amendment. Proposed by Cornwall R.F.U. Secon ~d by Redruth R.F.C. "The increase in the number of tours and m tches carried out by teams sponsored or raised by anyone other than a properly constituted and recognised cr b (other than those for a special occasion or celebration of a Club) caUs for sorne measure of control by this : nion. Clubs wishing to play any match against a t : m sponsored or raised by anyone other than a properly constituted and recognised Club must first obtain the consent of the Committee of this Union except where such Club is situate in a County to which powers are deI ated under the Rules as to Professionalism and aIl the players in such team are drawn from Clubs situate in the sa me County. In all su ch cases the consent of the Committee of such Cou nt y Union must first be obt ined. Applications for permission ta play any match here 50th teams are sponsored or raised byanyone other than a properly constituted and recognised Club must be made to the Committee of this Union. In all cases the application must state the t rms, if any, offered by the Club to the team with whom permission to play is sought. The accounts of aU such matches and details f aIl expenses paid must be submitted to the Secretary of the Union together with proper vouchers within o' e 'month of the date of playing the match. , 1 The Committee of this Union shaH, subject to . ppeal ta this Union, have power to suspend any Club player or individual who may dis regard their dire tions with regard to such matches." ,

After long and full discussion in which the repr 1 sentatives of many Clubs and Unions took part, the amendment proposed by R. A. C. Barbary (Cornwall; R.F.U.), seconded by R. F. d'A Carr (Redruth), was put to the vote but was not carried. The proposaI b' the R.F.D. was th en put to the Meeting and carried by a rnajority vote. . Alteration to Bye-Law 43. Proposed by Wimborne RIF.C. Seconded by Dorchester R.F.C. and North Dorset R:F.C. : Proposed (in view of present money values) to i ,crease amount stated of gross annual incorne to f600. Mr. W. C. Ramsay, on behalf of the R.F.D. C Im'mittee, seconded by North Midlands Union, opposed any alteration ta Bye-Law 43. The proposaI was put Ito the Meeting but was not carried. i LAWS OF THE GAME , i Mr. C. H. Gadney, on behalf of the Committe j reviewed the changes in the Laws of the Game and Notes on the Laws of the Game, as laid down by he International Rugby Football Board, which would 1 '1 i , ,1 i take effect as from Ist September, 1958, and mentioned, that the R.F.U. Committee would be issuing to aU Clubs and Referees' Societies copies of a "Summary on the Changes in the Laws" and a "Guide on the Changes ". RULES AS TO PROFESSIONALISM The President (Wing-Commander J. Lawson) asI

(1) Players, whether under or over 18 years of ag~, who have received, directly or indirectly, payment or reward are not eligible to play Rugby Union football. (2) A player over 18 years of agç who has signed a Rugby League form or who has had a trial for a professional Rugby League club is not eligible to play Rugby Union football. (3) A player under the age of 18 years should not necessarily be disqualified on the grounds of having signed a Rugby League form as an amateui or having had any connection with a Rugby League game as an amateur proviüed he has not received, directly or indirectly, any payment or reward and provided he has not had a trial for a professiorial Rugby League club. (4) Boys still at School. If the Laws of his owninational Union so permit a schoolboy playing Rugby League football for his school where only Rugby League football is played shall not be considered to be disqualified from playing Rugby Union football. (5) No player who has become ineligible under~he Board's resolutions can be reinstated. " The Board agreed that in dealing with cases not ~pecifically covered by the foregoing mIes the govern­ ing factor in determining whether or not the player has forfeited amateur status is the intention of the player to seek or receive, directly or indirectly, a financial gai,fi or material advantage. Actions of a player wbich imply intention are sufficient for tbis purpose.

, 8; r 1 i RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION . 1 . June, 1958.

INFORMATION FOR CONSTitUENT BODIES AND CLUBS 1· .

TICKETS FOR INTERNATIONAL MATCHES, 1958-59. The Committee have decided that the International Games at Twickenham will be ALL­ TICKET MATCHES. Appllcations for tickets must be sent to " Se retary, Rugby Football Union" on special forms. These forms will be sent to Hon. Secretaries with the new Handbook in September and should be carefully preserved until required. The closing date for applications, which can only' be accepted on official forms, is;-

ENGLAND v. FRANCE .} 1st NOVEMBER 1958 ENGLAND v. SCOTLAND ' .

Prices of tickets will be:­ Covered Stands fI Os. Od. Ring Seats 6s. Od. Players' Ring Seats 68. Od. Enclosure 5s. Od. Field ...... 4s. Od.

TRIAL AND INTERNATIONAL MATCHES, SEASON 1958-59. . Saturday, 6th December, 1958 ;Whites v. Colours, at Birkenhead Park. . " 20th December, 1958 Probables v. Possibles, at Taunton. " 3rd January, 1959 ~ngland v. The Rest, at Twickenham. " 17th January, 1959 ~ales v. England, at Cardiff. " 14th February, 1959 1reland v. England, at Dublin. " 28th February, 1959 England v. France, at Twickenham. " 21st March, 1959 England v. Scotland, at Twickenham.

1 .

Tuesday. 9th Decembe,. 1958. OXfO'd v. Cambridge, at Twickenham • ._1

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION (ft Is. Od.) 1 . Clubs are reminded that this fans due on Ist\september, and should be pa id by Ist November, 1958. Any Club whose an nuaI subscription shaH not have been paid by 1st November shall be liable to suspension of its privileges as a member bf the Union. Cheques should be made payable to " Rugby Football Union". If desired paymen~ can now be made by Banker's order, a form for this purpose may be obtained from the Secretary, Rugby Football Union, Twickenham. f RUGBY FOOliBALL UNION

. 1 ANNUAL GENERAL MFETING, 27th June, 1958

...... R.F.C. herebyappoints

'roxy's Name to be ifs proxy at the above Meeting and to vote on ifs behalf in· the manner indicated hereunder. 1 .

RESOLUTION No. " FOR," "AGAINST," or "AT HIS DISCRETION." 1 2 3 1 4 1 5 1

Signature of Official of above Club ..... j ......

NOTE.-Attention is drawn to Bye-Iaw 12 of tL R.F.U., whereby it is provided that if a Proxy Representative is employed, he must be:-I

(1) a member of a club in membership with the Union duly appointed by that club to attend the meeting, or 1 (2) the elected Representative on dle Rugby Union Committee of the Constituent Body to which the Club is affiliated. 1

The Proxy Representative niust be supplie~ with the above nomination paper, du]y completed in every respect, together with the Admission carî issued to your Club.

1 On a vote being taken on any question, all Proxy voters will first be called from the body of the Hall to tables at the end thereof, where their nomination papers and the admission card for each Club they represent will be examined. 1 If in order, each Proxy will, at the table re90rd:- (a) the name and vote ofeach clubtfor which he acts; and (b) the na me and vote of his own club should he be representing one. Nomination papers and admission cards will then Ibe returned to him. While this is being done, and while aIl Proxy voters are absent, a vote will be taken from the body of the Hall by a show of hands. The combined result of votes recorded at the tables and in the Hall will be taken to the Chairman, whose announcement will be final. Pcoxy voters will then be permitted to retur to thei, seats.