Swimming Association Bans League Players
25th March 1908
The muchly-talked-of League of Rugby footballers asked the Council of the Swimming Association for an expression of opinion as to the amateur status of the new Association of leather-booters. Mr Giltinan, the League secretary, was not left long in doubt as to what the men of the watery sport thought of the League and its rules.
A.W.Griffiths, gave his opinion as to whether the Rugby League was an amateur body or not. The rules of the League, a copy of which was forwarded by Mr. Giltinan, provide for payment of players, which is directly antagonistic to the constitutional rule of the Swimming Association.
On the motion of Mr.Taylor, seconded by Alderman A.Ogilvey (Manly Club) it was decided without a dissentient, that any swimmer who allies himself, in any way with the Rugby League, will find himself on the wrong side of the fence. The text of the resolutions carried at the meeting, is as follows: -
(1) That any amateur swimmer, who plays, manages, or becomes a member of any club attached to the NSW Rugby Football League forthwith ceases to be a member of this Association.
(2) That this Council is of the opinion that the rules submitted by the NSW Rugby Football League are contrary to the definition of an amateur, as defined by this Association.
(3) That this council is of the opinion, that a conference of all amateur bodies in New South Wales be convened for the purpose of discussing matters in reference to the furtherance of amateur sport in the State, and that the secretary take the initiatory steps towards convening such conference.
Ref - FN-17