IMPORTANT YEAR AHEAD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20532, 25 September 1936, Page 5

IMPORTANT YEAR AHEAD

TENNIS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING CHAMPIONSHIPS AT TIMARU With the New Zealand tennis championships to be held in Timaru, what will probably be one of the most important years in the history of the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association was commenced last night when the annual meeting of delegates was held. Present: Mr R -A. Holdgate (president), Miss McLeod (Baptist), Messrs W. M. Sexton and P. W. Young (Aorangi), R. L. Eames and ,iMilliken (Tengawai), A, E. Sandra 1 (Timaru), R. Cole and J. S. Satterthwaite (Highfleld), M. Crowley, C Duming (St. John’s), S. H. Sullivan and M. Souter (Wai-iti), A. C. Barr and F. Oxford (Geraldine), J. Chapman (St. Paul’s), W. H. Staniland, W. E. Renton and the Rev. J. N. Reid (Temuka). The Year Reviewed. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (previously published) the chairman said the committee was very pleased to have an affiliated membership of more than 1000 players and that position was no doubt an influence in the granting of the New Zealand championships to Timaru. He reviewed the annual tournament, which, he said, was a great success, and congratulated Mr A. E. Sandral on the part he had played in running the courts. Although there was a loss on the year’s working, said the chairman, the running of the Association entailed a great deal of expense, and much good was accomplished in the interests of the game in the district. Mr Holdgate said he was gratified that the championships had come to Timaru, and spoke of the work that had been accomplished to have Timaru’s claims recognised. “The Association,” continued the chairman, “set out to Improve junior tennis, and had succeeded in doing good work in this direction during the year.” The motion was seconded by Mr Satterthwaite and carried without discussion. In vacating the chair Mr Holdgate acknowledged the loyal assistance of the committee, the vice-president (Mr Young) and the secretary (Mr F. J. Cook). He also referred to the support given the Association by the newspapers. Regret was expressed by the chairman and Messrs Sexton, Sullivan and Milliken that the secretary had resigned, tributes being paid to his outstanding service during the last eight years. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr R. A. Holdgate; vicipresldents, Messrs W. M. Sexton and A. E. Sandral; secretary, Mr P. W. Young; management committee, Messrs W. E. Renton, S. H. Sullivan, C. Duming, Robt. Wilson, A. C Barr, J. S. Satterthwalte and J. Milliken; auditor, Mr F. Robertson; treasurer, Mr M. Souter; delegates to New Zealand Association, Messrs A. N. Leslie and A. Eaton Hurley. In acknowledging his re-election Mr Holdgate said he had decided a short time ago not to stand, but pressure from the committee and players, in

view of it being the championship year, had made him reconsider his decision. The Championships. Referring to the forthcoming championships, the chairman said that the organisation for the event would De strengthened by the appointment of sub-committees. The meeting would be a great thing for the town and with co-operative effort there would be no doubt about its success. The Borough Council had given great assistance, and would no doubt continue its encouragement. Mr Young spoke of the need for the appointment of umpires who would have a standard method of control and considered that someone would have to take charge of this important department of the tournament. It would also be necessary to appoint 36 ball boys who would be paid for their services. The umpiring was the most imp<. ■ ant feature of the tournament, said Mr A. E, Sandral, who said that prominent local players would have to be trained on Saturday afternoons prior to the championships. The same would apply to the ball boys. The chairman said that already advice had been received from the Hamilton Association that it would be sending down 10 players. It was necessary to arrange for billetting -or juniors. The Association felt that junior players who could not afford to ma..e the trip and pay for accommodation should be billetted, said Mr Sandral, who anticipated that provision would be made for between 30 and 35 young players. The following sub-committees with power to add were appointed: Umpiring committee, Messrs A. E. Sandral (convener), W. E. Renton and S. H. Sullivan; billetting committee, Messrs W. M. Sexton (convener), C. Durmag and R. J. Moyes; entertainment committee, Mr J. S. Satterthwalte (convener).

Encouraging Junior Tennis. Mr Sexton explained that Aorangi Club had decided to contribute £5 to the Association towards the encouragement of junior tennis in South Canterbury. He considered that a

coaching committee should be appointed, with the idea of bringing a number of the juniors up to a standard which would give them a chance in the New Zealand championships. Mr Duming was of opinion that if a limited number was coached other juniors might suffer. Any individv.?.] junior had as much right to coaching as a selected group. Mr Milliken explained that the t> had been voted by Aorangi to finance

the annual junior championships, which cost the Association a similar sum. Mr Sexton emphasised that the £5 had nothing to do with his suggestion about coaching. Tire chairman thanked Aorangi for its gesture. He considered that coaching was a matter for the clubs. Mr Holdgate appealed for. the cooperation of all players and supporters of the game to make the forthcoming championships second to none in the Dominion.