BADMINTON CHAMPION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22389, 8 April 1936, Page 21

BADMINTON CHAMPION

OVERSEAS PLAYER'S VISIT The New Zealand Badminton Federation announces that arrangements have just been completed for tho well-known English player J. F. Devlin to tour New Zealand during tho coming season to" give coaching to the Auckland players and to play in a series of exhibition games in tho various centres. The visitor will sail from Vancouver on April 22 by the Niagara and will reach Auckland on May 11. After spending a week jji Auckland ho will commence an itinerary which will take him through New Plymouth and Wanganui to Wellington, thence through the South Island and back to Wellington, returning to Auckland, whence he sails on July 21, via the east coast. Devlin is generally recognised by badminton experts as the finest living exponent of the game. He first came into prominence in 1919 when he appeared as a representative of Ireland, and kept bis place in that team until 1931, when he turned professional. In the AllEngland championships, recognised as the "Wimbledon" of badminton, he won tho singles in 1925-26-27-28-29-31. In 1930 a severe operation on his right arm prevented him from doing himself justice In the men's doubles he held the title in 1922-23-26-27-29-30-31. In the combined doubles he won the title in 1924-25-26-27-29. Thus he held the triple in 1926, 1927 and 1929. Since turning professional he has been in Canada. The Auckland Badminton Association is arranging for a public exhibition of the game to be given in Scots Hall on tlie evening of May 15, when Devlin will take part in singles, doubles and combined doubles with the leading New Zealaud players, who will be assembled for tho occasion.