OTAGO LAWN TENNIS.

Evening Star, Issue 21053, 16 March 1932, Page 4

OTAGO LAWN TENNIS.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, —In spite of the recent criticisms continuously poured forth upon the selectors of Otago lawn tennis teams, it appears from the tennis notes in your issue of Monday that the selectors are still loth to gite youth and its inherent keenness preference to age and past services in the forthcoming match against North Otago at Oamaru next Saturday. Perhaps the selectors, in their opinion, desire to compliment North Otago by sending the strongest team available. In order to remove all doubt in this respect it may be quite confidently stated that a stronger team could have been selected. This could have been effected with the greatest of case by a little more judicial discrimination, or perhaps indiscrimination, on the part of the worthy “ Triumvirate.” Unwieldy as the former Selection Coram;tte of sis must have been, those concerned with tho reduction of their members to threo have the writer’s congiatulations on displaying the exceptional foresight in preventing the possioility of a deadlock among themselves. Bit would it not have been a better and tie only solution to all difficulties in this respect to have appointed a sole selector who had himself absolutely no cliims for inclusion in teams? Such a person, and one who would be willing tc fill this important position, would no doubt he. somewhat difficult to find, but it would be surprising what a little persistent effort in the right direction night be made to produce. The reduction of tho selectors from six to three is an admission in itself, and why not carry on just a trifle further, and give effect to tho popular wishes evidenced in tho course of the last fortnight by tic various interestcl members of tho community? Why has no amendment been made in tip position of tho first throe players? Is the first player entitled to that position merely on past performances? Surely his victory over Southland’s

leader! who, it must be admitted, gave a frightfully disappointing exhibition, does not entitle him to first place again. Another glaring injustice on the part of tire selectors presents itself in tho player chosen to fill fourth place. Apparently the selectors give more weight to the result of a “ nine-up ” played during tho season in tho club matches than to the fact that the fifth player was runner-up in the last South Island championships—an obvious monstrosity Moreover, surely second place in the Kaituna A grade team does not in itself warrant inclusion even for sixth place. Perhaps third place in the so-' ailed provincial ladder caught the selectors’ eyes.

Now, what harm would bo done in giving some of Otago’s promising young players a game against North Otago? The writer need not too strongly assert that youth must have its day. Have these young players to wait until those in question are literally tottcing on their feet before they are given their chance? If such is to be the case they will not then have their tender years, and, devoid of experience which should in fairness have been theirs, will never be able to do justice to themselves or their province. Under the present state of affairs the inevitable result must come, and Otago may thank its selectors, present and past, for that result. The game, .Otago’s chances for the future, and many promising young players are one and all being unjustly and irret’’lovably crippled by the conservative attitude of the selectors in year after year delegating the opportunity and honour of making a name for the province in this branch of sport to old men instead ot youths. The writer sincerely hopes that the result indicated above will not bo forced upon Otago tennis, but it is patently obvious to any follower of the game in Dunedin that until some drastic steps are taken progress in the standard of play will bo impossible.— I am, etc., Tor Spin. March 15.