LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 184, 2 May 1929, Page 16

LAWN TENNIS

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS AT MIRAMAR

Tuesday, May 14, should be a redletter day in the annals of New Zealand tennis, on the occasion of the commencement of the first separately-run national championships for juniors. Seventy per cent, of the Dominion’s twenty affiliated associations have nominated juniors of both sexes, and of these associations no fewer than ten have included reserves in addition. When it is considered that practically the first news the various associations had of the tournament was when the nomination forms reached them less than a fortnight ago, it must be admitted that the response has been phenomenal, and that the institution of these separate junior championships has supplied a longfelt want.

Truly national will be the setting when the Cream of the Dominion’s juvenile tennis talent assemble on the Miramar grounds a fortnight hence, to do battle for the honour'of their respective associations, and truly bizarre also will be the scene when the royal blue and gold blazers of North Auckland clash with Southland’s maroon, when the Kokowhai reds of the Maori Association mingle with the yellow and black ot Taranaki, and Canterburuy’s gold and olive green. Dark blue, too, will be very much in evidence when Otago, Wellington (Oxford and Cambridge), Auckland (dark blue and white), and Wanganui (dark blue and black), are scattered over 'the sixteen association courts; whilst the slightly differing green and white strappings of Wairarapa and Manawatu, and sijnny Hawke's Bay’s black and red, will complete a collection of ribbonedcoats, the like of which has not been seen before even in the Empire city, where monster primary schools’ tournaments have many times been staged. Already speculation is rife as to the possible singles champions, and Robertson, of Timaru (who recently had match point against Angus), and little Mary Purcell, of Wanganui (conqueror at thirteen of Misses Myers and Calver), are frequently being mentioned; but “dark horses” are known to be numerous on this occasion, and Arthur Dickie (son of the famous Cliff, and Taranaki’s pride), Allison and Coombe, the elect of Wanganui and Wairarapa respectively; Child, the hope of Whangarei; Wei Peihana’ and Rawhiti, the youthful Maori warriors ; the stars elect of Auckland, Otago and Canterbury; and, last but not least, Wellington’s doughty pair Erie Roussel! and Max Ferkins, are foemen worthy of the best steel, who will force the issue to the bitter end; whilst amongst the youthful Amazons, Alia n Pragnall, of Masterton, H. Cox (daughter of the Cecil Cox, New Zealand chairman, 1898) ; J. Chambers and M. Hooton, of the Queen City: the Ward twins, from Taranaki; J. Harvey, of Gore, and others whose names are not yet available, will'make the contest for the girls’ events a very stirring one indeed.

Already a strong, representative, and enthusiastic tournament committee, comprising Messrs. H. M. Boddington (Masterton), A. W. Soundy (Dannevirke), J. B. Sinclair (Christchurch), IL Hardy (Auckland). J. A. B. Howe. E. D. Harland, and W. B. Watson (Wellington), assisted by Messrs. A. G. Henderson, W. D. Irons, and D. M. Kean, of the N.Z.L.T.A., have completed elaborate arrangements for the conduct of the tournament. The welfare of the girls will be carefully looked after by a committee of ladies under the direction of the lady principals of two well-known Wellington secondary schools. A welcome innovation, too. will be the establishment of a special body of umpires, who will officiate in relays throughout the tournament.