Veterans’ tennis on Coast

Press, 11 February 1981, Page 22

Veterans’ tennis on Coast

Perhaps because of the large number of Irishmen who settled in the area in the gold rush days, the West Coast has a different way of doing things. Thus when the West Coast veterans’ tennis tournament is held in Greymouth on March 14- ' 15/ competitors will not have to be Coasters to participate and players who might consider themselves .to be in the prime of life (men of 35 and women of 30) will be entitled to enter. It will all be part of a jolly week-end when the West Coast Tennis Accoiation celebrates 50 years of robust life, in between the showers, with a variety of social and competitive events. As well as men’s, women's and mixed doubles events for the veterans, there will be a re- ’ enactment of a nineteenth century tennis match, with ancient rackets loaned by Mr Harry" Hilt, of Christchurch; an exhibition of compact tennis, the modern half-court game; and a "superbrat” event for invited players below the minimum veteran age. One participant will be Mike Purcell, a current Canterbury squad member, who is « former West Coast chaapiss.