Three-Fold Plan For Coaching

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31152, 31 August 1966, Page 15

Three-Fold Plan For Coaching

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. A three-fold coaching plan was needed to satisfy the needs of New Zealand tennis at all levels, Mr S. Painter told the annual meeting of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association yesterday.

“We must import coaches to live here, we must import top-line coaches for select coaching schools, and we must encourage the sending of suitable New Zealanders to Australia to learn coaching, if arrangements can be made,” Mr Painter said.

He commented on the upsurge of tennis in New Zealand in the last three years. “In 1963. membership was 35.000. expenditure exceeded

income by £2OOO and the position was gloomy.

“Since then our finances have been re-organised, more overseas players have played here and there had been continued participation in the Davis Cup, and the Linton and Wilson Cup. “Players have been sent to Australia, junior development has been immense and coaching has developed beyond the greatest expectations. “Sponsorship has grown steadily and membership has now topped 40,000.” Mr Painter said.

“We are beginning a new growth of tennis in New Zealand. We intend to continue with our overseas tours policy and send three young players to Europe next year, the second of three successive years.