Chch tennis clubs need to be more professional

Press, 18 March 1989, Page 29

Chch tennis clubs need to be more professional

By

Dianna Leslie

The Christchurch clubs in the national Air New Zealand tennis league, Shirley and Edgeware, will need to become more professional in their approach if they are to be competitive with their northern rivals. The Christchurch clubs perhaps rely too much on player loyalties to bind them to the province, but the more cut-throat Northern clubs have no such illusions and it is speculated that some teams are offering lucrative deals to various players — offers that Canterbury teams will be hard pushed to counter. Simon Allatson, speaking from Wellington yesterday, made it clear that such a situation would not be desirable for the league. “We do not want a bidding war,” he said. “It would not serve anybody’s purpose to have four wealthy teams and four poor teams in the league.

“We are keen to ensure that the situation that exists in other sports will not happen with us, and we are looking at various scenarios to stop it.” BP Wellington is already

seeking players and Dermot Whelan, the manager, confirmed yesterday that they would use *whatever weapons they had to win the league for a second time. "Every year our objective will be to win, as with any team, and that includes player payments,” he said.

Mr Whelan refused to divulge amounts being negotiated but mentioned some names that were prospects for his team. “David Patterson, who is living in New York, and was a top New Zealand player is as good as he ever was, and will be playng. Steve Guy, Chris Lewis, James Dunphy, Paul Smith, Jeremy Grubi, Graham Liddell and Neil Carter have all confirmed interest.” Mr Whelan intimated that Christchurch clubs had as many options as Wellington, but did not act on them. “I don’t see why, if team are organised early enough, that they ccan’t get the sponsorship to get the good players.” A Wellington league player pointed out that an overseas player in each side would add considerablv more punch

to the Christchurch clubs and improve on their depth and strength. Meanwhile, the provincial distribution of the league could be altered this year. Auckland, which bit off more than it could chew last year with three teams, has indicated that it will enter only two, and Hutt Valley has been quick to offer its services.

“Obviously we are negotiating with each association, but Hutt Valley has expressed an interest,” said Mr Allatson. New Zealand Tennis Incorporated is eager to restrict the competition to eight teams.

“We don’t expect any. more than eight teams. We are trying to establish the competition this year and in terms of funding and timing to get the quality players we want to keep the November time slot. If there were more teams it would take longer and cost more,” he said. “But if a ninth team was well put together with a sound financial base we would have to consider it — maybe at the expense of another team.”