SATISFACTORY SEASON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1942, Page 8

SATISFACTORY SEASON

LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION APPEAIi TO KEEP CLUBS ALIVE The 57th annual report of the Auckland Lawn lennis Association, to be presented at the annual meeting on August 4, records a decrease in membership from 5266 to 3622. This reflects the reduction in the clubs mainly of male members through the requirements of the military and other forces. The clubs and the association had an anxious time, but notwithstanding this, all the usual activities were carried on. with the exception of "country week-end" matches with outside associations, ranking matches and the champion-of-champions contest. As expected, the accounts disclosed a loss for the year of £141 which, considering the difficult times through which the sport is passing, must be regarded as satisfactory. Especially is this so when it is realised that included in this loss is an amount of £125, written off for depreciation. The main decreases in revenue were in subscriptions from the clubs (£6B) and the rental from the Stanley Street courts (£57). All the tournaments held showed much lower profits than last season with the exception of the handicap tourney, which made a £10 increase. The Auckland championships dropped £53 on last year's figures. Successful Innovation By careful budgeting expenditure for the year was reduced by £130. This, together with the support once again given by enthusiasts by way of Stanley Street honorary membership, has been responsible for the healthy state of the accounts. In regard to interclub matches, the report states that the move made at the commencement of the season in reducing the number of men players from four to three proved to be a wise one, and was responsible for maintaining practically the same number of teams as last season and interest was sustained in all grades. In order to allow finals to be played before teams were too weakened at the end of the season, some matches were cancelled. The winners of the various pennants were:— Open grade (Caro Cup), EdSn and Epsom. Grass Court. —First grade. University; second, Eden and Epsom; third, Eden and Epsom. Hard court.—First grade, Ngatira; second. Mount Roskill: third, Surrey; fourth, Surrey; fifth. Nicholson Park. Women's mid-week contest. —First section. Ngatira; second, Dunholme. Single court clubs. —First grade. Tiro Tiro; second. Tiro Tiro. Outer suburban clubs. —First grade. Valley; second, Takanini - Kingfisher. Coaching Schemes The young players on the junior ladder displayed a keen interest in their tennis, and a large number of matches was played. This was no doubt due to the extensive coaching scheme carried out under the capable control of the coaching committee. The professional coaches, Craig Partridge, and J. T. Harrison, assisted by Messrs. J. S. Broun and the late F. J. Ohlson, did excellent work at Windmill Road and at Ngataringa in imparting instruction to classes of juniors. In addition classes were held at the courts of the various clubs under a scheme organised by the A.L.T.A. committee, and made possible by a generous donation from a southern tennis gut firm. As a result the standard of tennis in the junior events in the tournaments was high. The New Zealand junior championships was allotted to Auckland, but, unfortunately for local players, it was deemed expedient at the last moment, owing to restrictions of transport, to cancel the event. Extreme regret is expressed in recording the loss to tennis during the season of one of the association's life members by the death of Mr. F. J. Ohlson. For over 25 years he rendered valuable service to the association, to his club and to tennis players. He was a great tennis personality and will be sadly missed. Carry On! In conclusion, the report states: "Activities of the clubs and of the association have been greatly affected over the past twelve months by the war, and will no doubt continue throughout the war period, but it remains with those who are left to shoulder the burden of carrying on. For that reason it is hoped that members will, as far as possible, maintain interest in their clubs and keep them alive if at all possible, and an appeal is made to all those connected with the clubs, especially the lady members, to use every effort to survive this most difficult period through which we are all passing. With this co-operation, the association will continue to do its part in maintaining the interest, of the tennis public and its club members."