SPORTING GLOBE ARTICLE
Progress of Soccer
English Game in Australia
Although there is little, if any, possibility of it’s infringing on the large game, Soccer is gaining widespread popularity in Australia. While it’s growth in Victoria has been noticeable of recent years, it is in both New South Wales and Queensland that the game of the United Kingdom is finding favour with the sporting public. Rugby has held sway in both New South Wales and the northern state, but soccer people claim their game is rapidly growing in popularity.
There are considerably more than 6000 soccer players actively engaged in the game in New South Wales and the number of soccer clubs bids fair to exceed those taking part in the rugby game. While rugby has only a small following in this state there are 600 registered exponents of the soccer game.
Growth in Victoria
Soccer football was first introduced into Victoria in the 80s, but after 3 years it died down to almost extinction. This was due in a large measure to the migration to various parts of the Commonwealth of those who were responsible for the inception of the game. In 1908 a body of enthusiasts from the old country including HJ Dockerty, E Harvey, WE Cummings and EC Crawford met with a view to resuscitating the game and their efforts met with success. Established on a sound basis soccer made rapid strides until 1914, when in common with other sports it experienced a set back owing to the war. More than 75 per cent of the players saw active service abroad and no serious football was played until 1918 when most of the teams regained their pro-war strength.
At the present time soccer is in a better position than ever before in Victoria. There are 22 teams engaged in competition and the membership list is in the neighbourhood of 600. Two grades have been formed known as the first and second league, whilst a reserve league is comprised of the second teams of the senior grade. In honour of Mr HJ Dockerty, president of the Amateur British Association, which embraces the soccer clubs in this state, the Dockerty Cup ties are contested every season, and trophies are given in the shape of cups.
Proposed English Visit
It is hoped that negotiations in progress at present will be completed in time to allow of the visit of an English team to Australia next year. In addition to giving a practical illustration of the comparison between the standards of play in Australia and England it is considered an English visit would be the means of ‘booming’ soccer football throughout Australia. A Commonwealth body including representatives of the soccer players of all States has the matter in hand and the cost of such an enterprise has been estimated at 14,000 pounds. Towards this sum, Victoria would be expected to contribute a quota of 750 pounds.
Although actually confined to two States – New South Wales and Queensland, the team which recently played a series of matches against New Zealand, was known as an Australian combination. Victoria was not invited to send representatives, mainly because this State had not participated in interstate games since 1914. During the past 7 years, with the exception of an occasional game with Tasmania, Victoria has been unable to take part in interstate games owing to financial difficulties. Unless some way is found of overcoming this obstacle Victorian teams will be forced to forego entirely these matches. All trips undertaken are made at the expense of the players, who are not reimbursed for time off. More than 5000 spectators would attend an interstate game in either Sydney or Queensland, while in Victoria it is doubtful whether expenses would be cleared.
High Victorian Standard
Until 1914 when Victoria competed in her last interstate game, players in this state could more than hold their own with the soccer teams of New South Wales and other states.
As there has been a lack of competition the standard of play in Victoria cannot be contrasted with that of other states, but soccer enthusiasts in Victoria are of the opinion that the game is on a high plane in this state. The team that defeated Sydney in 1914 was the strongest combination ever seen in Australia, although the standard of play in the Commonwealth can in no way compare with the games as played in England.