Whiting, Erikson on British assignment

Press, 2 December 1978, Page 10

Whiting, Erikson on British assignment

By

DAVID LEGGAT

The next four monthscould be among the most crucial in the sporting life of Canterbury’s most promising badminton player, Peter Whiting.

Whiting and lhe muchimproved Flagley player, Dianne Erikson, are among a group Of New Zealand's most talented young badminton players being sent to Britain for a period of intensive training by the New Zealand Badminton Federation. ' The federation will subsidise the players, who will be training under two of . England’s leading coaches.

Whiting’s first trip to Britain was three years ago and this time, along with Nigel and Peter Skelt (Southland) and Graeme Robson (Auckland), he will be training under Mr lan Palmer, based in Lon-> don. Mr Palmer has coached many of the top players in Britain and has a wealth of experience behind him.

Three girls, Karen Phillips (Counties), Toni Whittaker (Auckland) and Miss Erikson will be training in Birmingham under Mr Maurice Robinson, who was coaching in New Zealand several seasons ago.

Two players who look part in the first such trip, in 1974, Steve Wilson and Chris Bullen, have since represented New Zealand

and have shown the benefit of the overseas experience. The players will receive differing amounts of financial backing: those who have not been on a previous trip will get more than those on their second visit. For example, Whiting

and Peter Skelt will receive $3OO, Robson and Nigel Skelt will get more than $4OO w'hile the girls will receive more than $5OO. One of the conditions of the trip is that the players must be back in New Zealand to play at Easter. While in Britain they will be taking part in tourna j ment.s each week-end and

for Whiting, the trip is almost identical to his last. However, on this occasion. Whiting and Peter Skelt will be coached on two days each week; on the previous trip they were coached five days a week in addition to tournament competition. Robson and Nigel Skelt will be having a tougher time, being involved in training on four days each week. For his last trip to Britain, Whiting received $lOOO from the Canterbury Association and had his air fare paid. He is fairly happy with his over-all form and condition. “Last season was good in terms of provincial results. I had some good wins, but the last two years have been pretty average in general,” said Whiting. He is pleased with his current level of fitness and believes it could be one of his main strengths.

Miss Erikson deserves her trip. Her most outstanding achievement last season was her win over Alison Ross in the final of the Canterbury and South Island championships at the Skellerup Hall. Whiting has been on the verge erf breaking into the top bracket of players in the country for some time. The experience he and Miss Erikson will gain in Britain should enable both to climb the ladder of success on the national scene.