Fine Badminton Player Leaves New Zealand

Press, Volume C, Issue 29709, 30 December 1961, Page 9

Fine Badminton Player Leaves New Zealand

VEW ZEALAND badminton will lose one of its most consistently good players next month with the departure of Mrs G. Middelberg from Christchurch to live in Holland. Mrs Middelberg has been Canterbury’s only player in national claes for several seasons. Winner of the Canterbury women's singles title in 1957 and 1960, Mrs Middelberg reached the final of the women’s singles at the New Zealand championships in three successive seasons, 'osing to Miss A. Mackenzie in 1958. Mrs H. Robson in 1959 and Miss S. Cox m 1960. Her defeat of Miss Cox in a semi-final at the 1959 championships was probably her best win. Über Cup Mrs Middelberg was a member of the New Zealand women s team which did well in the international Über Cup competition in the 195960 season. New Zealand reached the final round, and Mrs Middelberg, in the third singles position, played moot consistenily. She defeated Mrs S. Boon-Thanom (Thailand!. 11-3. 11-7: Mrs J. Bevan (Australia) 11-5. 11-7; Mrs J. Miller (Canada), 11-7, 11-7; and loot in the final round to Miss I. Haaselsten (Denmark), 9-11. 11-7, 9-11. In the 1959 season, Mrs Middelberg had made a successful debut in international competition by defeating her Australian opponent in the Whyte Trophy match in Christchurch. On her overseas tour she also played for New Zealand against England. Ireland, Malaya and Indonesia. When the New Zealanders played in the All-England championships in London during their Über Cup tour. Mrs Middelberg. the youngest member of the team, was unfortunate in being asked to open the tournament on the centre court. There she was quickly swept aside by the top Irish player. Miss M O'Sullivan.

Last season Mrs Middelberg had a rest from competitive badminton, and confined her activities to coaching at the University club. She was not available for the New Zealand team which toured Australia. Mrs Middelberg has now begun training again in earnest, and intends to compete in major tournaments in Europe. She will play in the Dutch championships at Haarlem on February 10 and 11, and probably in some English county tournaments before the All-England meeting at Wembley from March 21 to 24. New Zealand has again entered in the Über Cup competition for the coming season. in the Australasian zone. If the Dominion again succeeds in winning this zone <and this will be a hard task). Mrs Middelberg could again be called upon to join the team overseas. Thia would not be with-

out precedent, as the United States association has already announced that it will build its defending team around Mesdatnes J. Hashman (now living in England) and S. Peard (now living in Ireland)