LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN TIMARU.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20613, 30 December 1936, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN TIMARU.

So thorough and so complete are the arrangements for the staging in Timaru of the New Zealand lawn tennis championship tournament commencing this morning, that only the ill-favours of the Clerk of the Weather can militate against the success of the fixture. Not without a stern struggle against /deep-seated city prejudice was endorsement given of Timaru’s claim to be considered a suitable venue for the championships. All sorts of more or less imaginary disabilities were raised against any departure being made from the long-established practice of confining the choice of venue to the metropolitan centres. But in the end the good sense and sporting spirit of the members of the Dominion’s administration in lawn tennis prevailed, and Timaru has been accorded the honour of being accepted as a centre in which the contests for the Dominion lawn tennis titles are to be staged this year. It is not difficult to understand the viewpoint of tennis enthusiasts who insist that the choice of venue for championship tournaments should be confined to the city. The obvious explanation is that large numbers of players who are born and bred in the principal centres, have developed a city complex which suggests to them that the world of tennis, as far as New Zealand is concerned, revolves round the capital cities of the principal provinces. Manifestly, however, if lawn tennis is to bear a genuine Dominion status, and Dominion-wide progress is sought, all centres of population, particularly where genuine interest in tennis exists and promising players are keeping the game going, ought to be considered as likely venues for major tournaments. No game or pastime can advance very far without the support of the public. Hence the importance of periodical changes being made in the choice of centres, considered capable of organising and conducting New Zealand lawn tennis championship tournaments and providing suitable courts. Moreover, particular attention should be paid to centres where progressive municipalities or associations of clubs have, shown sufficient vision to provide grass courts for the use of players. From all angles, therefore, the holding of the New Zealand lawn tennis championship tournament in Timaru this year represents a commendable decision on the part of the representatives of districts that form the constituent parts that are represented on the body controlling New Zealand lawn tennis. Every effort is being made by the officials of the South Canterbury Tennis Association to ensure the success of this year’s tournament. All the arrangements are now complete. All that is now required is favourable weather and high class form on the part of participating players.