MEMBERSHIP RECORD

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30708, 25 March 1965, Page 14

MEMBERSHIP RECORD

Increase Of 977 Players

The season 1964-65 saw the greatest rise in the number of affiliated members in the history of Canterbury tennis —an increase of 977 members to 6483. This included 338 senior, 334 junior and 305 from subassociations. This information was contained in a report by Mr M. C. Healey, chairman of the management committee, to the quarterly meeting of the delegates of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association last evening .

Nearly all clubs showed an increase but Elmwood, with 190 new members, had much the largest. “Now we must do something for these players," said Mr Healey. “Clubs are organising their players well, but I have heard the complaint of officious club officials.

“A crippled man was on a court showing his child how to play when officials asked him to leave because he was not wearing sand-shoes. “This sort of thing sets back the public’s image of tennis,” he said. “Our clubs are not charging enough for subscriptions and that is why New Zealand tennis is poor,” said Mr Healey. “Few clubs have as much as £lOOO in the bank and this makes it impossible to build new hard courts.”

Mr Healey said the N.Z.L.T.A. was suggesting the affiliation fee be increased from Is to 2s 6d. The association needed a lot of money to send players overseas. “The whole question of junior tennis administration will have to be reviewed,” he said. “AH the work is done by three or four people and parents should be strongly encouraged to assist. “Junior tennis in Canterbury will slip if steps are not taken very soon.”