TARANAKI BADMINTON

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1935, Page 10

TARANAKI BADMINTON

CHAMPIONSHIP DATES t CONFIRMATION RECEIVED

:•' (By

“Clubman.”)

The New Zealand Federation has confirmed the Taranaki association’s application to conduct the North Island championships at New Plymouth in conjunction with the second Taranaki championships J oh August 26, 27 and 28. Already the ■ district executive has the programme; of eVents in hand and judging from the support promised by the major associations a record meeting is expected. A lafge contingent of players is expected * from the Waikato, and Harry Fow, the •- holder of the New Zealand singles title, has also intimated his intention of being < present. It is expected that this tournament ' will be the first attended by players (from the South Island. An invitation is being extended by the Taranaki association to the Canterbury, Otago and Southland associations for each district to send ‘ two players to compete in the North Island championships, these players to also attend the Dominion tournament at Auckland the following week. While at ' Niw Plymouth the southern visitors will ba billeted by members of the Taranaki association. «*# ■ 9 ’ Great satisfaction was felt last year when the first season closed with eight ■ clubs affiliated to the Taranaki association. . At the annual meeting of delegates \ -the president prophesied' another suc- ' cCssful year and considered that there ...was every indication that .in view of the of the game, especially in the v country districts, this figure would probably be doubled before the season ' : closed. This optimism has been more ■" than realised, as in addition to the five . applications for membership that came the annual meeting another six clubs have applied for affiliation, mak- , ing IS clubs to date. The number of .players in the province now exceeds 500,

which figure is considered highly satisfactory. It is noteworthy that the formation of new clubs has largely been confined to North Taranaki, and it is hoped that Hawera members of the district executive will be able to extend the game beyond their territory. Patea, Okaiawa, Manaia and Othkeho all have suitable halls and offer ample scope for this popular sport. # * * * An early decision is expected regarding the Spalding Shield contest, and officers of the association are already working out. details of the “zoning principle, on which this year’s competition will no doubt be conducted. The idea of zoning the various clubs in view of the large area involved meets with general approval; the fact of reducing the amount of travelling between the teams alone commends the project. It is likely that the contest will be commenced, about the middle of July. . . # * * •Although Eltham was the last of the principal towns in Taranaki to take up the game, good progress has already been made since the opening of the club a fortnight'ago. Mr. Rod Syme and other members of the Hawera club attended the first playing night and instructed members in the elementary principles of the game. Mr. Eric Townsend makes a very capable president, and under his guidance a very strong club is assured. A membership of 30 has been secured to date, and further enrolments are expected. Although only one court is available play is enjoyed every afternoon and evening; thus no congestion of players is anticipated. Under these conditions the improvement in the standard of play has been rapid and already J. Whiting and J. Ritter show promise. ,## ♦ # Eltham is fortunate in having as a visitor Miss R. Nielson, who has undertaken the coaching of the women players. She will leave next month to reside at Adelaide. Miss Nielson has played in Southland for the past four years and is a particularly strong player with a pleasing style. It was interesting io learn that the Invercargill club has eight courts, the membership being in the vicinity of 100. The South Island championships have been allotted to Invercargill this year and this fixture will mean a great fillip to the sport in Southland.

Kaimiro has played Lepperton oh two ■ occasions already this season, and it speaks well for the keeness of both these country clubs that A and B teams have travelled both times. Twelve players from Lepperton visited the New Plymouth club last Friday night, the New Plymouth club winning the match by 15 games to 9. With the exception of Mrs. Smith, who won her singles match against Miss L. Gorrie, the country ■ women found conditions to their .iking and they were definitely superior in the remaining games. Tire majority of New Plymouth men had fairly comfortable wins. The country team enjoyed its experience of playing against the New Plymouth club’s top men, both Blakeney and Collinge being in particularly good form. 4

Next month the annual match between North and South Taranaki, comprising teams of 24 players, will be played at New Plymouth. Last year this fixture was one of the most enjoyable matches of the season, South being successful by a margin of four games. The northern team was superior in the singles matches last year, winning 13 to 11, but in the doubles South won nine games to three. South is expected to provide an even stronger side this year, and some strong combinations for the doubles are being developed.