Lack Of Speed In Badminton

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 15

Lack Of Speed In Badminton

(By Our Badminton Reporter) Canterbury badminton players have the shots but need greater speed of foot if their campaigns in the inter - provincial series this winter are to be successful. Several sessions of trial matches involving 20 men and 15 women have proved that Canterbury is well equipped technically for the representative contests.

It was just as evident however, that a higher stand-.rd of physical fitness generally will be necessary if the provincial teams are to do themselves justice. The division L II and 111 teams, and the junior side, are to be selected this weekend. There will be precious little time for rounding off training and establishing doubles combinations before the first representative matches. On June 10 the division I and H teams and the junior side play their Southland

counterparts at Invercargill, while the division 111 representatives and an unofficial team play North Otago sides at Oamaru. The chosen players, therefore, will be cramming a good deal of activity into the next two weeks, If the desirable standards at fitness are to be attained. The trials hrve established th. t P. V. Boatwood and Ho Kah Yen an still at the head of the men’s field. A. G. D. Duckmanton is holding his form well and a younger group consisting of G. G. Ford, G. Ellis, G. A. Miller

and A Ampong, a newcomer from Sarawak, is pressing for placet. Illness has affected many of th* women trialists, bat Mrs M. Wylie, Mrs M. Miller and Miss L. Tucker have been playing consistently and Miss C. Rosy has been working hard at her game. Most of the representative candidates will be taking part in a two-night tournament at Queen’s Birthday week-end. This will give the players some hard match play—and it will also determine whether the proper attention has been paid to physical preparation.