Lawn Tennis MISS J. DAVIDSON LEAVES FOR TOUR

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29783, 28 March 1962, Page 6

Lawn Tennis MISS J. DAVIDSON LEAVES FOR TOUR

The New Zealand women's lawn tennis champion. Miss J. Davidson, of Christchurch left by steamer-express last evening for Wellington, a little more than a week before the beginning of her tour overseas with the New Zealand women's team. With the other three women. Misses P Belton and A. Smith, of Auckland, and Miss E. Green, of North Shore, and also the men’s Davis Cup team, she will meet the council of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, in Wellington today, ana attend a farewell dinner this evening.

The men’s team 'will leave on April 1 but the women’s team will not leave till April 5, In the meantime, the women will practise in Wellington and it is expected that doubles pairings will be worked out. On April 5 they will fly to Sydney and the next day to Darwin where they will join the Davis Cup team for coaching with the Australian professional, L. Atkins. Two other. New Zealand women, who will go overseas

on their own account. Misses S. Rich, of Christchurch, and E. Terry, of Waikato, will leave New Zealand on April 15 and will join the other players in Darwin so that all can travel together. The target of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Associa tion's appeal for funds for Miss Davidson’s tour and also for two junior players it decided it would send to the New South Wales Age and School championships in May has not yet been reached. The New Zealand associa tion required each of the members of the women's team to find £5OO and about £lOO more was needed for the two juniors. Of this £6OO about £4OO has now been raised This has included a contribu tion from Miss Davidson's parents, more than £9O from clubs, £5O from a sports goods firm, more than £3O raised from field days held by women players, and more than £2O from the Canter-bury-Wellington and TownCountry matches. The £5OO required by Miss Green has been raised by her club, Milford, and other clubs in the North Shore associa-

tion, according to a Press Association message. The figure was reached last week after a special evening held by the Milford club. The Parnell club is also still raising money for her. The two Auckland members of the team, Misses Belton and Smith, have also received further donations.

The junior section of the Auckland association has given £3O toward each girl and the executive of the asso • ciation has promised the proceeds from two bingo evenings which it will hold. Miss Smith received a £5O

cheque from her club Remuera, at a function held there last week-end.

Miss Belton had to borrow money to make the tour and Miss Smith had her costs paid by her parents.