Table Tennis WOMEN’S TEAM IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28415, 23 October 1957, Page 8

Table Tennis WOMEN’S TEAM IN AUSTRALIA

Treatment Deplored By N.Z. Association

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. October 22. The Australian Table Tennis Association was criticised at a meeting of the executive committee of the New Zealand Table Tennis Association for its treatment of the New Zealand women’s team at present touring Australia.

A letter read from the manageress of the New Zealand team (Mrs Gwen Buckler, of Auckland) said that the Australian association had advised the tourists during the Australian championships in Adelaide that there would be no tests because the best, Australian players were not available.

Mrs Buckler s letter also said that no Niew Zealander was seeded for the Australian championships. New Zealanders, she said, could be proud of their representatives, as three of them reached the semifinals of the Australian women’s singles, won by Miss M. M. Hoar (Auckland). Misses Hoar and B. C. Packwood (Auckland) had won the Australian doubles.

Mrs Buckler said she was at a loss to understand why Miss Hoar was not seeded in at least the singles, and Misses Hoar and Packwood in the doubles. At the time of entry they were New Zealand singles and doubles champions respectively.

“It was a blow to us when Mr Jones, the secretary of the Australian association, came to us during the championships and said the Australians had had a meeting and decided no tests would be played because the best Australian women were not available.” said Mrs Buckler.

“I suggest we send the Australian association a cablegram with one word on it—‘windy’,” said Mr H. Pyle. “Out of order.” said the chairman (Mr W. Mullins).

It was decided to write to the Australian association expressing the New Zealand association’s disappointment and amazement that Miss Hoar, at least, was not seeded in the Australian championships.