19 April 1912, The Mercury (Hobart)

The following letter points to the ongoing tension between football codes resulting from the annual processes of ground allocation. The correspondent fears that a Hobart footy competition might not get the ground it desires because another sport (soccer, or Lacrosse) will be able to offer more money for rental. The correspondent also argues that because of the greater participation level in footy then it should receive priority.

THE SUBURBAN SPORTS GROUND.

To the Editor of "The Mercury."

Sir, - It is usual, I believe, for the Cricket Association at the beginning of the football season to call for tenders for the use of the Suburban sports ground, and this area is usually rented by the highest tenderer. Those who are likely to try to obtain the use of it this year are the Suburban Association, the British Football Association, and possibly the Lacrosse Association and the H.J.F.A. I should like to point out a few reasons why the Suburban Association have a claim on the consideration of the governing body when the tenders are sent in.

During the last five years a team from this association won the Davies shield four times, showing by their easy victories that the class of football played is of a high older, in spite of the fact that they have had a very poor playing space.

All the schoolboys who graduate for the top ground get their preliminary experience with the Suburban Association, and boys have never yet had a fair show on the Lindisfarne ground.

Thirdly, since over 60 per cent, of the young men of Hobart obtain their recreation from the Australian game, I think that that game should have some preference over lacrosse and soccer, which, however excellent they may be as games, are not popular games, truly so-called, in Tasmania.

Next. I might just refer to the fact that the playing space needed for soccer is very small indeed, and such a large area as the New Town ground would be wasted on teams of eleven aside.

I should also like to point out the fact that the T.F. League has given its support to the forward movement of the Suburban Association, and its liberal offer of financial assistance applies only to the ground in question.

Finally, I wish to state that I do not ask for any unfairness to any association; but it is not compulsory for the highest tender to be accepted, and I think that such an advance, as is proposed, ought not to be retarded by the question of a few shillings to be gained by accepting another tender.

Yours, etc., UNIVERSITY.