Rugby Football Union

. " RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION

ANNUAL 'GENERAL MEETING;lheld 'attheMAY FAIR HOTEL, LONDON, W.l., on Frida~? 23rd' June"1950, at 5 p.rn. " ';, 'I The followingqubs (301) were represented :~ , Il Aldershot Services Dudley Kingswihford King's College Hospital Alliance ' Durham Univ. Medical K.C.S. Old Boys Army Rugby Football Union De Havilland (Hatfield) King's College School Royal Artillery, Woolwieh Derby 'II Lancashire County 28 Btn. R.A.O.C., Bramley Devon County J' Leicester 2 Tr. Btn. (Supply) R.A.S.C. Devonport Servites Lincolnshire R.E. Depot, Barton Stacey Dorking \, Lizards Eaton Hall Officer 'Cadet School, Dorset and Wilts'Union LIoyds Bank Chester Downing COllege, Cambridge London ,1 Btn. R. Scot. Fus. Driffield 11, , London Airport 3 Tr. Regt. R.E. Durham CountYli, , London and Home Coünties ' School of Military Sutvey East Midlands II Schools Woolwich Garrison Ealing 1; London Hospital Ashton on Mersey Eastbourne, " London Irish ' Bancrofts School Eastbourne Coll~ge London School of Economies Barclays Bank Esher Î London Scottish Bafking Park Modern O.B. • Eastern Countie~ London Welsh Bath ' , ' Eccles ~ Loughborough College B.B.C. Exeter ,1' ' Lowestoft and Yarmouth Bedford Falmouth ' Luton Billingham Falmouth Y.M.C.A. Lydney Berkshire County Felixstowe Lyons Birkenhead Park Finchley Macclesfield Birmingham Ford Sports ',1 Maidstone Blackheath G.E.C. (Witton)t Maldon Brigands Gidea Park ' Manchester Brighton Gloucester ,0 " Metropolitan Police Broad Plain Gloucestershire çounty Middlesbrough Bristol Saracens Greater Birmingham Union Middlesex County Bristol and District Gravesend r ',' Middlesex Hospital Broughton Park Guildford ( Mill Hill ' Burnage High Schbol O.B.s, Hampshire ) Moseley Camborne Harlequins 1 Napier , ' Cambridge (Town). Harpenden National Provincial Bank Cassiopeians Harrodian New Brighton Centymca ' Harrogate Newbury Chelsea Polytechnic Harrow , Newark Cheltenham Hastings and Bexhill Newport (Mon) Chingford Hendon 1. North Durham Civil Servicè' , Hertfordshire t ' North Midland Union Civil Service R.F.U. . I!ford WandererS' North Shields Colfe's Grammar School Ipswich Y.M.C.4,.. Northern College of St. Mark and St. John Kenilworth ." Northern Polytechnic Cornwall County Kent County ~ Northumberland Coventrians Kersal J: Notts Crowhorough Kingsbridge (, Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire, Cuaco King's College (I;:àndon) " , ',' Union 1 Nuneaton Port of London Authority Saracens Nuneaton O.E.s PowerSamas Seghill Prestwich " Sevenoaks Osterley l Otley Queen Mary College Shelford Oxford Queens' College, Çambridge Sidcup Oxfordshire Queen's Eng. Works Sidmouth OId Alleynian Reading School ":', Siemens Sports OId Askeans . Richmond f Slough OId Beccehamians Rockcliff j Southend Rosslyn Park '1. Southern Railway OId Birkonian Rotol .. 1; OId Cantabrigians South East Essex Technical OId Citizens Rottingdean School Staffordshire Union' College OId Colfeians Royal Air Force Rugby Union Staines OId Cooperians H.Q. Tech. Trng:: Cmd. (Unit) Standard Bank of South Africa OId. Cranleighans H.Q. 90 Group (Unit) Stoke on Trent OId Croydonians H.Q. Transport Command Sunderland OId Dartfordians Royal Aircraft Establishment Surrey County OId Dunstonions R.A.F., Abingdon Sussex County OId Edwardians " Bridgnorth Sutton OId Elizabethans (Barnet) " Colerne~; Sutton Vallence School OId Erithians ,,( Cranwell Tamworth OId Freernan's " F e1twell . Trojans OId Fullerians " Finningley Unilever OId Gaytonians " Handforth United Hospitals OId Haberdashers " Halton Upper Clapton OId Haileyburian and I.S.C. " Hereford U.C.S.O.B. OId Henliensians " Hullavington University College (London) OId Hertfordians " LeconfieIa University Vandals OId Leodiensian " Locking; Vickers-Armstrong (Newcastle) OId Leysian " Manston'I Wallasey Grammar School OId Lutonians " Marham '1 . Wallington County School OId Masonians " Moretoniin-Marsh Walsall . OId Merchant Taylors " Netheravôn Warwickshire OId Millhillians " Odiham Warrington OId Novocastrians " Old Sarum Wasps OId Paviours " Padgate ;. Waterloo OIdPauline " Uxbridge:" Wellingboro Grammar School OId Rutlishians " Waddington Welwyn OId Skinners " Watton C Westcliff High School OId Stortfordians " West Raynham W. Hartlepool OId Tiffinians " .Wilmslow West Herts OId Tottonians " Yatesbury Westcombe Park OId Twickenhamian Royal Naval Collège, Greenwich Westminster Bank OId Walcountian Royal Navy R.FJJ. Westminster College OId Warwickian Royal Grammar School, Westmorland OId Westcliffian Newcastle Westoe OId Wheatleyan R.N.A.S., Culdrose . Weymouth OId Whitgiftian R.N. and R.M. Chatham Whitgift Middle School OId Williamsonian Royal Veterinary"College Whitgift School OId Wycombiensians St. Bart's Hospital Wimbledon College St. John's Prep. School Windsor Park House St. Lawrence College Woodford Pinner St. Thomas's Ho~pital W orksop College Plymouth Albion Salcombe): Worthing Polytechnic Salisbury Worth, Prep. School

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 24th June, 1949, were confirmed and signed.

The President (Mr. E. Watts Moses) refe!r~d to the rec~nt death of l\;lr. L. G. Brown (President 1948-49), w~om we mourn as a great player, admllllstrator and fnend. He left In our charge the appeal for the National Playing Fields Association, to which confributions from Constituent Bodi@s and Clubs. exceed '-;(5,000, incJuding man y gifts from smaU and often struggling clubs. The Appeal remainsopen until the Festival of Britain, 1951, so .that more clubs may send their gifts. J. . . " Bruno 0" Brown was also tremendously keen ~~at ail young players should be encouraged to learn our Game thoroughly, and to excel in' its finest arts. Gteat progress has been made during the past season on the Rugby Film, .and a start on the" Coaches' Guidel" both of which projects owe much to his foresight. The Filmshould be released in the early autumn, while the Guide is in the capable hands of an editorial board comprising Messrs. B. C. Gadney, A. L. Warr, M. Sug~en, FrankSpragg and Cyril Gadney, with Mr. H. F. Ellis as editor-in-chief. It is under the direction of Mt. Ramsay and our Publication Sub-Committee. :t Admirai Sir Percy Royds has also added a treasu~e to Rugby literature by the compilation of the history of the Laws of the Game, which will shortly be available. He weIl deserves our gratitude for the time and toil involved in this monumental work. Il . .' . 1l ' During the season we have lost theserv~ces O(iour Treasurer, Mr. J. R. Creasey, who must, under . doctor's orders, shed many of his responsibilities. Durlng his service on the Committee and his tenure of the

, Treasurership, he' has served the Union in a manner l~md to an extent which surpasses description. 0 The 'restoration of Twickenham after its war-time vicissitude~ alone added enormously to his labours, and the fact that our ground is in su~h admirable condition to-day liS a standing tribute to his great-hearted service. " The waryears have shown us the straits to whiçh Rugby can be reduced if all the most able coaches arewithdrawn for a period, but the Game retains its irorld-wide appeal because men who have learnt it at 'hOillè' continue to 'spreadit wherever Jatecalls them~ l' , , The success of the B.I.R. Team's visit to ~e"i Zeal~n? ~nd Australia should prove a. treme~dous encouragemènt at home-aU reports show that despIte many lOJunes the morale of the team contlOues high ,the bearing and 'èourtesy of the players have won most 1favourable comment and they are welcome visitors in many distant homes. Indeed, the Mayor of one town }vired the Mayor at their next halting place :- "-Have just farewelled thirty-two deligl;J.tful British Isles gentlèmen who have given my constituents a perfect demonstration of the British way of life. They are excellent fellows, and 1 'commend them to your care." ~, . , While much credit must go to Surgeon CaptaiJ Osborne as Manager of the Team, Colonel Hartley, as Chairman of the Home Unions Tours Committee, h~s been responsible for many preliminary arrangements 'and delicate negotiations. He has provided a wealth pf experience gained from the South African Tour of 1938 and deserves our thanks for his untiring labour~. Finally, 1 wish to express my pers on al thanks tl everyone who has helped to make my " President's year" a very happy one, including in particular our Sécretary, whosè work has been so greatly increased by the illness of ML Creasey and the invaluable services which he has rendered to the B.I.R. Team. We must be grateful to him for his very large share in the past season's progress, in which he has been mostably helped , by his staff, both office and ground. ~ , ,

Balance Sheet; 1949-50. . . . \ '0 ' , The Annual Statement of Accounts to 30th Ap'ril, 1950, were presented and the Meeting given the opportunity to make observations. It was proposed 15y Mr. West (Hertfordshire), seconded by Mr. Hague (North Midlands) that they be accepted. Carried Jnanimously. t . Election of Officers, .1950-51. ,,' li Mr. E. Watts Moses~ the retiring President, dJclared the officers of the Union for Season 1950-51 elected, as follows :- . l President ... Sir Wavel1i.Wakefield, M.P. l' . Vice-Presidents Mr. H. Cleaver; J.P. Mr.P. M~ 1jtlolman. Hon. Treasurer ' Mr. W. C. !Ramsay. Before' vacating the Chair Mr. Watts Moses statèd that the new President, Sir Wavell Wakefield, needed no introduction to the Meeting and referred tQ his great record as player and administrator., He referred also to the unceasing work of the two Vice-Presidents, Mr. H. Cleaver and Mr. P. M. Holman. He felt that Mr. W. C. Ramsay, the new Honorary Treasurer,would be a worthy successor to Mr. J. R. Creasey.

On taking the Chair Sir Wavell Wakefield ;~aid : " " You have done me the great honour this evening of electing me as the 42nd Presitlent of the R.F.U. since its formation in 1871. l hope l may be fopnd to be worth y of the confidence you have placed in me to fiIl this the highest position in the Rugby Fdotball world. . 1 We are glad to see such former Past Presiden~s as Sir Percy Royds, Messrs. Cartwright, Stoop, Oakes, Greenwood and Col. HartIey with us tonight. The benefit of their guidance and great experienèe in our deliberations on the Committee is most helpful and l look forward with pleasure during the coming year to a continuance of the support which we receive frfm our Past Presidents. It is 28 years sinee l was first e1eeted to the Rugby Union Committee and l was fortunate in serving my apprenticeship on the Committee under the guidànce of such stalwarts as Sir George Rowland Hill, Ernest Preseott, James Baxter and others who did so much' to establish the traditions of our game in the past. It was their wise foresight and guidance in the early days of our game that has made it easier in these present days for us to follow the prineiples which they so wisely laid down. It is l think important that while always keeping our minds open to improve the playing ofour game and its administration in whatever way we can, nevertheless we should hold steadfast ta the principles which have guided us so successfully in the past and which: have enabled our game in the midst of many difficulties and chaIlenges at the present time to maintain its !'spirit and tradition unimpaired. l,', l am so glad to have as Vice-Presidents to help me Harry Cleaver and' Pip' Holman; living as they do in the Midlands and West Country respectively, their assistance l know will be most helpful to me in spreading the work to be done. . t·'· 1 l am sure you would wish me to give Our deepest thanks to our retiring President, Eric. Watts Moses, for all the work and enthusiasm he has thrown into his duties during the past year. In particular l should like to pay very warm tribute to the leadership he Has given in so many ways. He has been untiring in attending Club Functions the length and breadth of the Country. His speeches have been most irispiring, and particularly impressive were the words of adviceJ and encouragement he gave to our British Isles Touring Team just before they left our shores. We are, therefore, delighted that Mr. Watts Moses is flying to New Zealand in a few days' time to be with our team thete and to continue with them in their tour of Australia. The value of such a visit cannot be over emphasized. . Last year the President drew attention to the unsatisfactory standard of play in England at the present time. Let us hope that the film now being produced by aIl the Home Unions, to which reference has already been made and which l saw for the first time this afternoon, will have hs effect. Let us also hope that when the coaches guide is available next year that this too will have beneficial effect in the years to come. It is the policy of the R. U. to· do aIl possible to assist in helping those who are teaching players not only the practice of the game but, what is even more important, the spirit of its playing. The great need for boys at the present time, partidularly in our big cities, is adequate playing fields, and anything that clubs can do to assist in the loan of their grounds will be of great help. At Twickenham arrangements have been made for the local SChOOlsi to use the car parks for games practices. The extension of the playing of our game in schools naturally results in an increase in the membership of Clubs and in new Clubs being formed, as shown in the Annual Report. This increase has meant that the demand for Referees is becoming increasingly great! I cannot emphasize too strongly how important it is that players who give up playing should take up Refereeing to prevent our game from suffering. 1 i Concern has been caused to your committee by the state of club grounds derequisitioned, which have been used for allotments or other purposes. Your committee consider that these grounds should be handed back in the same condition as when taken over and that the derequisitioning of grounds should be expedited. In order that your committee may be in a position 1'p take the most effective action clubs are asked to send . particulars of any difficultïes in this connection to the .Secretary, Rugby Football Union, through their constituent bodies. Your committee are continually getting informLion that c~ubs are being refused licences for such items as the building of groundsmen's quarters, changidg accommodation for the players and stands for the convenience of spectators, even though materials are·available and in sorne cases voluntary help is forthcoming. Representations have recently been made to the Govj!rnment to ease the present very strict restrictions and it is hoped that sympathetic consideration may be Igiven to the representations which have been made. It has come to the notice of your committee tha~:in certain instances clubs undertaking foreign tours have sent weak or incomplete teams abroad to represt:(llt them and indeed have sometimes had to borrow players abroad to complete their team. Clubs are tl~erefore asked not to arrange fixtures abroad unless strong and complete representative sides can be sent a~:J am sure it needs no words of mine to emphasize the harm done to English football if such practices continue.' • . ,1 Before concluding 1 would like to say a few ,'ords on the possible effects of the development of Television on Rugby Football. Undoubtedly the advdnt and extension of Television is creating a greater interest in our game and that is to the good. So long as the interest is for more to play our game and greater support to be given to our Clubs which are the I?ackbone of our game, then we aU will welcome the extension of Television. But the evidence so far availaple suggests that people with Television sets tend to watch in their homes a big match being televised ratht1" than to go out and support their local club game. 11 is, however, early days yet to appreciate the effects oH Television in this Coun"try but judging from what is happening in America, it is desirable that the situatic{ be closely watched. ~ . "\ 1 have endeavoured to oùtline thepolicies to be>" pursued and the work to be do ne during the forthcoming year. 1 hope it is commendable to you. ,; 1 1 look forward with you to another Season in "': ich 1 hope we will sec improvement in quality, but a Season' in which, above all, 1 trust an ever growing _'umber of players will get healthy recreation, good comradeship, fun and enjoyment from the playing of :ur game." . The President also recalled the early history of t e purchase of Twickenham and gave reasons for the appointment of an Hon. Assistant Treasurer. He refë :red tothe working of the International Board and his own recent visif to S. Africa and S. Rhodesia. 1 1, , : Laws of the Game. AdmiraI Sir Percy Royds referred to alterations: which had been made by the International Board jn the wording of the foUowing Laws :- 1 LAW 14. Knock-on or throw-forward-para. 2 'eworded as follows :- . " If the ball is not passed for{vard, but after alighting on the ground, ït bounce forward, the pass is in order."

LAW 15. Scrummage~' l' (e) the words " without delay 'Ii to b~ printed in heavy type. (g) to be altered to read " Thé; baIl is fairly in when ithas been put in along the line of the middle of t~ tunnel formed by the players of each front :row of the scrummage and ~Î1s touched the ground." (h) to be altered to read" The ~Iall shaH be put into the scrummage again, ifit enters and cornes out at either ~d of the tunnel or between the feet of either of the outside players of each'~ :ront row on the side on which the baIl has been put in." li . (i) to commence " While the baU is being put in ". pelete the words " midway' between and paraUel to the lines of feet forming each front row" and substitJte" of the middle of the tunnel," ,

LAW 16. Tackle. Between" Tackle " and J~ra. "(a) " insert " Subject to Law 26 (d)." Para. (a). Delete the words ~'brought into play with a foot" and substitute " played with a foot." LAW 20. Chargingand Obstruction. Combine the last two paragraphs ~of the Lawt6'read as ,foll'ows :-" ~ '.. " ,. """ "'If the baIl alight in in-g9al, touch-in~goai, oroyer or on·the dead:'ballline;th~ . mark shall be at a 'plàce five yard~ from the goal Hneoria'lineparalle!tûtlle ,. touchline through the! place where it crossed thegôalliÏle orten yards from tHe t'ouch line whichever. "isJ", the greater." . ,.,. '...... ' LAW 22. Drop-out. Change theorderpf the, paragraphsas foll'ows ,:(c) to.([:,) ; (e) to(e)..; (h) t<;> (d) ;; (d) to Ce). l;;

LAW 24. Penalty Kick.- \ PENALTY': '(1), Hne' 2-.a~,lter... "mark" add thewords" wherethe penalty was àwarded." , LAW 26. Try. Add n~w clause:.. \,1... . ' .. "". ",(d) If the momentum'of a player, when he1d in possession 'of the baIl, carried l ' him into bis opporlents' in-goal and he there grounds the baIl, even though / / it has t()uched the,;gr'ound in the field of play." Last paragraph. After the words "where the baIl was grounded," add the words . " thé defending team having the right of putting in the ball." !. • '. • . LAW 27. Touch. Paragraph 7. U', " Delete the words "have b'othfeet in touch" and substitute " not puteither foot into the field 'of play:; ".

LAW 30. BaD, etc., touching Referee.' i' . , The following words tobe added atend of first paragraph : . ,; the team ofth~ player who is carrying the baIl or last played the baIl having the right of putting the ball int'o the ensuing scrummage."

Auditors, 1950-51. It was unanimouslyagreed that Messrs. Gillespie Bros. & C'o., 43 Chànd'os Place, L'ond'on; W.C.2, be reapp'ointed.

Oihèr Matters. ;- On conclusion 'of the business 'on the Agenda the Chairman gave representatives· the ûppûrtunity tû raise questiûns. Various Clubs raised ûbservatiûns 'on the allûcatiûn and distributiûn 'of tickets fûr International matches. The Chairman stated that n'ote had been taken 'of the remarks and suggestiûns put fûrward and due cûnsideration would be given. . ".' . • • 1 •• In closing the Meeting Sir· Wavell Wakefield (Chairrnan)expressed appreciatiûn and thanks tû representatives 'of Clubs attending...... l, . . The Meeting clûsed with a vûte 'of thanks to theChairman.