LITTLE TENNIS SO FAR

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1935, Page 12

LITTLE TENNIS SO FAR

PLAY PREVENTED BY RAIN

WAVERLEY PREPARING

(By

“Half-Volley.”)

Activities in Taranaki tennis circles have been more or less confined to preparations, weather conditions in most centres not being conducive to play. In South and Central Taranaki there has been practically no play, but hard court clubs in the north have been more fortunate and have played between showers, as it were.

Rain prevented the Waitara club from holding its opening day on Labour Day and the event is now scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. The Fitzroy and Rotokare clubs are also holding their official openings to-morrow.

##' * * The New Plymouth courts are said to be in a better condition than they have been for four or five seasons. The club was to have held its opening day to-morrow but, as a result of the heavy rain earlier jn the week, it has been decided to postpone the event until next week. The committee is making every effort to bring the courts back to the splendid state of several years ago. With this in view the surface has been liberally top-dressed and a greater quantity of clay

The coaching of junior members by proficient senior players as recommended at the annual meeting of the Taranaki Association will be adopted by the New Plymouth Club this season. The club is making every endeavour to foster the game among junior players and it has introduced an intermediate subscription. Coaching by senior players is by no means a novelty as far as the club is concerned. The scheme has been attempted in the past but it was not accorded the support it merited. Those desirous of benefiting from the experience of their seniors should remember that the success of the scheme depends upon their support and regular attendance at the courts during the coaching period. If senior players are prepared to sacrifice their time juniors should do their utmost to make such sacrifices really worth while. The scheme has much to commend it and it is to be hoped that other clubs will follow suit in an endeavour to raise the standard of Taranaki tennis.

If the enthusiasm shown by the Waverley Club is any indication this year’s championship tournament at Waverley on January 6,7, 8 and 9 is assured of .success. The club has enlisted the support of the townspeople, and visitors, who so wish, -will be billeted by Waverley residents. The club possesses six grass courts and during the winter the executive made special efforts to provide a first class playing area. Although the Taranaki fixture will clash with the Manawatu championships it is understood that Taranaki will receive a large measure of support . from Wanganui players. Taranaki players Will undoubtedly welcome the opportunity to visit Waverley as a means of recognition of the part played by Wallace and Dickie in the development of Taranaki tennis.

W. T. Hale, the Stratford club champion for the last two years, and G. Elliott, who was last year chairman of the Marlborough Tennis Association, have thrown in their lot with the NewPlymouth Club. “

The Soffe Cup committee, which conducts the North Taranaki inter-club competition, is to meet at New Plymouth this evening to complete arrangements, including the draw for this year’s competition.