BADMINTON TEAM

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 16

BADMINTON TEAM

DEPARTURE FOR AUSTRALIA [Per United Press Association .J WELLINGTON, July 21. A wish that the trophy for the contest between the two countries should not find a permanent resting place on the shelf of some Australian homo was expressed by the donor, Mr D. O. Whyte, vice-president of the New Zealand Badminton Federation, when bidding farewell to-day to the New Zealand team, which left tonight for Australia, in search of the Wnyte Trophy, won by Australia in the tirst contest between the two countries last year The members of the team are: Messrs P. E. Hawksworth (captain), E. A. Roussell, J.Spedding, and G.A. Pearce, and Mrs Hawksworth, Mrs C. F. Wren, and Misses N. Fleming, and Mavis Kerr. The manager is the Rev. H. W. Austin of Wanganui. “ To-day is the most important day .in the history of New Zealand badminton,’’ Mr Whyte said. “It marks the first overseas tour by a New Zealand side.” Since 1935, he said, the game had been controlled by an enterprising body, and results were beginning to show in the development of superior form in interprovincial matches and the rise of younger players. The selected' team .was fully representative of New Zealand’s strength, and included all the national titleholders, “ There is no better ambassador for peace than sport,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry). As an Australian, he assured the team that it would be warmly welcomed. He wished it success.