Bold tennis move

Press, 20 October 1976, Page 38

Bold tennis move

A former Canterbury tennis player, Mrs Marilyn Lawrence, is the central figure in a bold move designed to lift the standard ef top women’s play in this country. The New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association has appointed the 24-year-oid former national champion as manager of its Federation Cup team for two years. The association’s programme in women’s tennis will be assisted by the New Zealand division of the Col-gate-Palmolive company, the giant American concern which is pouring more than SIM into international women’s tennis. Mrs Lawrence's initial task will be to supervise a one-week training programme for New Zealand’s Federation Cup squad, which will be announced soon. She will work in association

with Colin Swan, the Sydney coaching director of the Vic Edwards Tennis School. Twice winner of the national women’s singles title — as Marilyn Pryde — Mrs Lawrence was a member of the Elmwood teams which won the Canterbury women's senior championship and the Rothmans national inter-club title last summer. She now lives in Whangarei;. Her appointment and Colgate’s involvement were announced yesterday by the chairman of the N.Z.L.T.A., management committee (Mr I. D. Wells)..

“We are determined to lift the standard of women’s tennis and to encourage the top young players of today,” Mr Wells “The appointment of Mrs Lawrence is a significant move. She was a most determined player, 'with a keen

mind for the game. After : ceasing to play full-time tennis she became involved in public relations work, and proved a first-rate ambassadress for tennis.” Mrs Lawrence toured the international tennis circuits for four years, from 1970 to 1973, and was a member of the New Zealand junior team in the Wilson Cup series in Australia for five years. She was first selected when only 14. She has played in four Federation Cup tournaments, and her relaxed temperament and considerable experience should make' her an ideal manager. Next year’s Colgate Federation Cup tournament will be played in Eastbourne, England, a week before the Wimbledon championships. Melbourne will host the 1978 event.