PROFESSIONAL COACH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27039, 25 March 1949, Page 3

PROFESSIONAL COACH

LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION DINNY PAILS AVAILABLE PA WELLINGTON, Mar. 24. The Australian tennis professional, Dinny Pails, has advised the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association that he will be available for coaching between August and December of this year if required. This, among other matters, was reported to the meeting of the association's council last night by the chairman of the Management Committee, Mr A. H. Richards. Mr Richards requested associations that had not already done so to forward immediately details of their requirements for the services of such a coach and of the maximum amount they would be prepared to contribute to the scheme. These details were necessary, he said, to enable the committee to make final arrangements. Mr Richards also stated that the American professional, J. Kramer, might return to New Zealand in March, 1950. Overseas Tours A statement outlining the various possibilities for overseas tours by New Zealand players over the next few years was put forward by the Management Committee, with the request that district associations state their views at the next council meeting. Most of the committee’s proposals, which provide for men, women and intermediate and junior players, involve trips to Australia. One plan was for a tour of New Zealand one year and a trip to Australia the next in preparation for the Davis Cup entry a year later. The committee suggested announcing immediately its intention to enter a team in the 1951 Davis Cup. The associations are also to consider an Auckland scheme put forward tonight for the pooling of receipts from tours of New Zealand by overseas players, any net profit after paying authorised expenses to be divided between the participating associations. Various methods of eliminating entries for the New Zealand Men’s and Boys’ Singles Championships in excess of the maximum of 64 in each case were discussed at length, but no decision was taken. Hard-court Championships The meeting decided that the time was not opportune for the introduction of a New Zealand hard-court championship. Of the 13 district associations, only Otago and Southland stated they were in favour of the idea and willing to stage a tournament. Nelson was the only other association in favour, but was unwilling to hold it. A rule that in all national championship events the knock-up period be limited to three minutes was agreed to. The Management Committee was asked to consider the rules governing the conduct of Wilding Shield ana Nunneley Casket matches in the light of the numerous suggestions put forward to-night. The president, Mr H. L. Wise, said the need to review the rules was urgent, as at present the trophies were an administrative and financial burden if held for long. Among the suggestions were that the competitions be on the lines of the Chatham Soccer Cup or the Plunket Cricket Shield events, or that challenges be made as at present, but limited in number by elimination matches between neighbouring associations. Wellington recommended that Wilding Shield rubbers be reduced from 12 of three sets each to six of five sets each.