South Island Tennis Representative Meet

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31985, 12 May 1969, Page 16

South Island Tennis Representative Meet

The New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association recently circulated its constituent associations with seven alternatives for conducting the Slazenger and Howe Shield junior trophy contests, about which there has been a great deal of complaint this season.

At a meeting at Wilding Park on Saturday of representatives of South Island associations, Mr R, B. Brown, chairman of the management committee of the Canterbury association and a member of the national junior advisory committee, produced yet another. Mr Brown suggested that the qualification for the contests be changed from under 19 to under 17 and that teams comprise two players Instead of the four at present and the suggestions were favoured by those present. The unprecedented meeting, called originally because of the desire of the Canterbury junior association to discuss junior tennis with other South Island associations, and especially the arrangement of a tournament circuit next season when the national age championships will be held in Christchurch, was so successful that representatives deelded that another should be

tournament which was part of the present tournament circuit, held in August

The Junior association's proposal was taken up by the senior association and two meetings were held, junior first with the chairman of the Canterbury junior association (Mr R. Hampton) as chairman, and then senior, wittt Mr Brown as chairman. Representatives were the same At both meetings. Representatives They were:— Canterbury. Messrs A. C. Felton, association president, H. Dillon and B.F. Clarke; South Canterbury. Messrs D. Mtlchell, R. McEwing and Mrs J. Campbell; West Coast, Mrs S. Brown: North Otago, Messrs J. Hendry ’ and R. Eckhardt; Otago, Mr g. A. Robertson. Mr Brown - attended tbe junior meeting as a member of the national junior advisory committee and the senior meeting as a Canterbury representative. Southland and Marlborough had-named representatives who did not arrive and Nelson, which had expressed itself in favour of the senior meeting especially, had no representative. Putting h|s proposal for changes in the junior trophies, Mr Brown said that he had analysed the draw*-for the national under 18 championships and found no more than 10 boy* and 10 girls who were actually In that category;* the rest would qualify for under 17 play. If the trophies were changed to under 17 they could be run with the national age championship* and that-would prevent the difficulties with dates that had arisen this season, he said.

The reduction in size of team* would give the minor associations a much better chance it they had Only one or two good players and stronger associations could enter more than one team if they wished. Mr Brown said that ha had suggested the idea to some North Island tennis administrators without gaining much support but ha had yet te take it to th* national association. Various speakers, including Messrs Hampon and Dillon, said that young tennis player* were now more mature and that under 19 players were senior pl T^e r reduced team size wduld cut costs for association*. Mr wsw u&ss 4780 this season for Howe and Slazenger Shield tennlt. Mr Brown (aid that many associations were quite, happy to enter for these trophies because they knew that they would not qualify for the semi-final* and finals and would not have to face the expense of sending teams to them.

Tournament. Dates Tentative datss for neat season’s tournament* wore given ■ by Mr Hampton as the Now Zealand age tournament In Christchurch from January It to 24, the Canterbury junior championships tn ths wook before that, from January 12 to 17. Th* North Otago roprosenta- ) lives sold that they would bo inWrested in holding a tournament from January 4 to 7, and South Canterbury representative* suggested a tournament from January 8 to 11. Mr Ham iiton reported that Marlborough might bold a tournament immediately after the New Zealand age championships to attract North Island players on their way home. Mr Robertson said that Otago was also interested in holding a tournament at that time to attract South Island players.

Other eubjects discussed included:—

Mllstlni. Representatives expressed concern about the difficulty ot billeting players and they criticised player* who asked for billets when they had relatives tn the same town. Players who behaved badly towards their billeters and those who sometimes left after one night were also criticised. It was felt that young players should be encouraged to find their own accommodation as much aa possible.

Behaviour— Mr Clarke said that asaoctattons which sent large numbers to tournaments should provide someone to look after the juniors and take the burden from tournament managers.

Australian Tours.—Mr Felton suggested that South Island teams might be sent to Australia and arrangements be reciprocal. Sponaorship might be- obtained for thl*. Later Mr Hampton reported that Qantaa Airlines had approached him aaylng that they bad inqulrioa in Australia from -a numbsr of junior tennis players hoping to play in a South Island tournament circuit and representatives indicated that they would be pleased te have them.

Coaching Scheel.—South Island juniors srs invited again to the Rothmans South island coaching school to bo hold in Chrietchureh In August. The number this year will be 80 instead of 74 aa laat year and aaeoclations wore asked to name player* not lust tn order of ranking but In order of potential.

Representative Matches—Representative* will advise their associations that more junior representative matches ar* desirable in the South Island. When tn* senior meeting was held Mr Brown complained. to representtitivea about the lack of aolidarlty among South leland representatives about the lack council meetings and that soma delegates to these meetings did riot seem to bo instructed by their associations on how to vote.

Ho complained especially that Otago had not supported Canterbury in effort* to have the Wilding Shield and Nunneley Casket system changed although it* representative at Saturday’s meeting, Mr Robertson, said he was not happy personally with the present system.

Mr Brown said that the trophies would have, more interest if all ataociatlona wars brought together In the one place. It cost Canterbury 8480 to go to Auckland for a Wilding Shield match at which there were four spectators and yet Auckland -claimed there waa considerable interest in the system a* at preaent. Mr Dillon thought an Interprovincial tournament could perhaps tske the place of the North island or South island

The same criticism was made later of the associations’ attitude* to the Wilding Shield and Nunneley Casket competitions—some associations entered with the hope that they -would not win the zone matches because it would involve them in too much expense. Representatives agreed that they would take Mr Brown a proposals to their associations and that delegate* would have flrm Instructions if they were put to a meeting of th* national council in Wellington. SURREY TITLE Mrs Court Beaten (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON. The Australian Wimbledon champion, Mrs M. Court, failed to overcome a bout of influenza and was beaten, 8-3, 7-5, in the women’s singles Anal of the Surrey hardcourt* tennis championships at Guildford. Mrs Court lost for the first .time to Mis* K, Melville, the 21-year-old Australian No. 2. Mrs Court gotout of bed only an hour before she was due. to go on court. After her defeat, she was clearly distressed. The men's title went to another Australian. D. Crealy, who beat K. Woolridge (Britain), 4-8. 7-5, 8-2, in 95 minute*.