BADMINTON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 124, 24 April 1940, Page 6

BADMINTON

MANAWATU CENTRAL CLUB. After many hours of preparation the secretary and committee of the Mtuiawatu Central Badminton Club had the satisfaction of seeing the club officially opened on Saturday night by the president (Mr P. G. Cope;. An amplifier lent by Berryman’s was a decided help to welcome new and old members as they entered the courts. A running commentary was given by Messrs B. Hill and Jensen. The new table tennis set was very popular. Under the capable manage'ment of Miss llodden, the supper, which was donated by the patron (Mr B. Davidson; was appreciated. A wealth of talent, was disclosed in the new members. As these are comparatively young, the standard of play in the club will not be depleted to any great extent by the war. The president, in outlining the progress made by badminton in the Manawatu since its introduction twelve years ago. mentioned that of the original twelve players in the Manawatu he (Mr Cope) was the only remaining active player. When the first club was formed by Mr J. IT. Kissling there were only three other centres in New Zealand —Auckland, Wellington and Wanganui—that realised the value of badminton as a. recreation. However, since then practically every town in the country had formed a club and in the larger centres as many as a dozen clubs bad been registered. The affiliated membership in New Zealand amounted to over 6000, and there must l>o at least 3000 players who were not affiliated.

The president recalled many fine past exponents of badminton in the club. J. Barnett was one outstanding player. Of more recent years the name of C. iSligerin had come to the fore. His had been a. very rapid rise to the top. With only throe years’ experience behind him he had the honour of being one of the four seeded players in the New Zealand championships last year. Everyone who saw the match between him and Tonkin, of Australia, would appreciate his natural ability. As Sheerin had joined the Air Force the Manawatu Association would suffer a great loss, but all his admirers wished him the host of luck.

Alter congratulating the winners of various trophies during last season, the president complimented the club upon its achievement in winning both the Manawatu A and B grade competition cups.