INTERNATIONAL SPORTS CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20691, 13 April 1929, Page 17

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS CLUB

HOME IN LONDON. PRINCE’S WORDS AS MOTTO. (Pbom Odb Own Correspondent.) 'rii <s j.- u LONDON", March 8. Sporiibg Life announces that Lonrton is to have an’international Eporte Palatial Grosvenor House/Park for e ’s^rfc h T a “ h ° me from home” for sportsmen and sportswomen who arc visiting this country. The venture is snonsored by some of the world’s lekdine sportsmen. To Lord Decies is given credit for having conceived the idea to ensure . that athletes from overseas should not return r? ‘?® ir o™ after a visit to the > ci? • ses without suitable recognition of their enterprise. The Prince of Wales. '" tllc , “« r se of a delightful speech! uttered these words:— ■ 1 The .best friendship, whether individual or international, is that made on the field of sport.” , The officials and members of the new club have taken the • Prince’s memorable phrase as their motto.' The club, it is announced, has obtained magnificent premises in Grosvenor House. It has not comednto being'as the result of momentary inspiration. A prominent .official made a special journey to America last April, and tested the opinions of sporting people and others who are fre-' quent visitors to Great Britain. The project was welcomed everywhere. i - There are many young and really good tallows in America who are longing to come to England,” said the manager-of the club, ‘ and they would do so if the position, when they arrived in London.' was not so hopeless, -They know no one in England, and however desirous they are of playing polo at Hurlingham or Roelinmpton, or ’ golf on some of the most iamous courses, they cannot do -so because they are unknown.” 'The work of the promoters has not, however, been confined to America. Mem-bei-R have been obtained as well from the Irish Free State. Canada, the Argentine, Chile, 1‘ ranee, Italy, and Spain, while others from Ulster are expected to fall into Ime. .The patrons of the club are the Duke of Westminster, the Marquis of Londour, 1 ?’ Lukoof Penaranda (a relative % Kl 1& of . s P a .in). and Mr H. Payne Whitney, the American millionaire sportsman. A powerful and influential advisory committee has been set up. The club has been formed with the idea of supplying a long-felt want.in the international field of sport and travel. Mem-, bers and friends will be given the entree to such centres as Hurlingham and Roehampton, where they can see the various polo matches during the season, and where they can play tennis and golf.' As a direct result of the new organisation it is not improbable that representative polo teams irom American centres will arrive in .London for the whole season. SPLENDID “GYM." In addition to the usual amenities, the ■ club will have an up-to-date swimming pool Turkish baths, four squash rackets courts, —one exclusively for the use of women members—and a splendidly equipped gymnasium. Also members will have preferential treatment in connection with the large skating rink, and arrangements have been made to provide a con-’ siderable number of self-contained suites. The permanent club rooms will not be ready until June, but temporary club accommodation, including bedrooms, is now available. The scheme is an elaborate one, adds the Sporting Life, but the “ ground work ” ■ has been so sound, and it -has been so enthusiastically received in every country to which application has already been, made, that the immediate success of the club is assured.