TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 65, 16 March 1940, Page 6

TENNIS

COACHING, SYSTEM

INSTRUCTIONAL TOURS

The impetus given to the general- interest in tennis by the visit to New Zealand of the Australian ' stars, who "scooped the pool" at the recent championships', has been carefully fostered in some of the outlyirig districts by exhibition tours. The physical welfare and recreation branch has algQ*. < been responsible for a new departure t in the tennis world—the development of a voluntary coaching system to em*'"brace clubs, colleges, and schools.

Acting in co-operation with the-Wai- „ rarapa and Manawatu Associations, the local recreation officer, Mr. S, McNicol r , arranged an extensive coaching tour of these districts, for which the ser^ vices of Roy Howe were available,., Howe has jumped into prominence by i | reason of his showing at the New Zea-' land championships, iollowing successes in the North Island singles and South«<? land championships and, by virtue of his performances, must rank as one of the best in the Dominion. As well as being a first-class exponent of the game, he has a considerable background of coaching experience which has stood him in good stead in this-re- „ cent project. During his trips oveiv 1 , seas to Australia and England he has\ devoted much time to the, study-ol t imparting the technique of the,~gaJne, ■ -md as a result he has evolved a coaching method which has excited favour- ' able comment. - Two tours have taken place this season, and, desoite adverse weather conditions, they have been very successful. Contacts with schools and colleges were arranged by the associations, with the result that over 500 primary and 600 college children have * how some acquaintance with tennl*; fuhda mentals. Besides this. Roy, Howe has given individual tuition to over s 100 promising players as well as lee- . tures and demonstrations to- 300 club , members. Howe- played up' toiw exhibition matches, two with tne ; -,- former North Island champion P. r Hawksworth. Altogether in these-two - districts he has brought the tennis gos-.^ pel to over 1500 people, and has.haq^'j a keen eye to/the future of the gam* by laying such emphasis upon junior coaching. The physical welfare branchhas been indeed fortunate uv having this player for the service; and it is to be hoped that other sports organisations will find some of their members who are willing to give sport some of what they have had out oi it in suciia wholehearted, fashion. . > The associations with scattered districts are very interested in this volun- _ tary coaching scheme. An officer ol the physical welfare and recreation branch who was visiting North Canterbury recently, took the opportunity of initiating the proposal at Jiawardeu^ having for his -co-demonstrator Miov Rebe Wilson, a New Zealand ranking player. They had an J enthusiastic audience, and were invited/to repeal the performance, but ciroumsUnces unfortunately; did not fi™.l^JPv? =; Taranaki Association is{.the .latest to ■ adopt, the plan, and Mr. Howe - is-^ , tour the province next week ;An «»•• teresting-sidelight of; his latest, toy^ was the fact that, being no mean exponent of sleight-of-hand tricks he. ;; was a centre of interest m the ..Clubhouse as well as on the court, for the .-■. mystery of the three-card.trick wa? no less fascinating than the mechanics of a forehand drive. - ... ;