TENNIS JUNIORS TO HAVE COACHING

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31016, 23 March 1966, Page 21

TENNIS JUNIORS TO HAVE COACHING

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND.

The former New Zealand Davis Cup tennis player, J. E. Robson, is to coach the three junior members of this year’s side—B. E. Fairlie (Auckland), O. Parun (Wellington) and K. Woolcott (Hutt) —before they leave for London on April 8.

The New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association has agreed to this move on a recommendation made by the team captain, L. A. Gerrard, before he left last week for Australia and South Africa. Robson said yesterday that he was waiting to hear from the national body just when he was expected to, start his “tutoring,” but added, “the sooner the better.” He believes it imperative that Fairlie, and particularly Parun and Woolcott, should gain as much tuition of the special techniques required on shifting surface clay courts as possible before leaving. “They must learn to slide, they must learn patience, and

above all they must learn to angle their shots which is quite a different thing on clay to grass,” he said. He discovered all these differences when he had first

gone overseas, in 1947. Robson will also step up their fitness campaigns. He would discuss with them what they have done and suggest variations as necessary.

Fairlie may play in the junior championship at]

Wimbledon and not in the senior championship. This was suggested by Mr D. C. Coombe, the former New Zealand Davis Cup player who now lives in England.

The New Zealand association decided to leave the matter to Gerrard and Mr Coombe when they meet in England. Parun and Woolcott are too old to be con-

sidered for the junior competition.