Badminton

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 141, 1 July 1937, Page 15

Badminton

"Drop Shot.")

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS Fuw North Islanders Likely to Participate INTER-CLUB GAME

(By

In most sports there are ciuob whose ineinbers f elt that their abilities are not fully recognised by provincial associa«ions and selectors. This applies especially to tennis and badminton. In provincial towns whose populations axe not large enough to support a number of A gra.V clubs, there is ailways a tendeucy for xnost of the leatling players to gravitate togother in oue club. Whcthcr tbis applies to Hastings badminton remains to be seen. Tlie ensuing isolation ' of the better players who remain in the weaker clubs is uot in the best interests of auy game; hence' tho suggestions. printed recently in the-se coluums of combined inter-club practices. If these could be carried out the general standard of play should nuprove uutil suiiicient opposition would be available m eacn club for 'the leading players. With first-class practice the present Hawke 's Bay lady champion, Miss Taylor, could still furtlier improve. For keeiAiess ot eye and deadly conceutration she is ^ unrivalled locally. Now Zealand •Championships. ; As tliis year's New Zealand cham pionships are to be held in Dunediu

it is unlikely that many North Islanders will participate. Until such tiihe as a benevolent Government institutes a compulsory mid-winter holiday it is unlikely that any badminton tournament held in New Zealand will ever be thoroughly representative. In local championships, however, as play is after business hours, the question of "leave" does not arise. In the recent wet weather playing conditions dn the Hastings Drill Hall have been marred by the fact that a leaky roof has resulted in a large slippery patch of moisturq on one of the eourts. Unless the authorities repair the roof some unfortunate player will shortly be carried off with a sprained ankle. Next Saturday the Hastings and Napier clubs will meet in their first match of the eeason. The loss of Pat Watson will be felt by the Hastings team, and Noel Wilson is unlikely to play, but on the whole the Hastings men will be at least equal to last year 's standard. In the women 's scction tho Hastings team will be far stronger than was tho ease last year. Loss to Hastings. Mr. A. Barnaby, who will in future reside in Waipukurau, will be missed in tHastings tennis and badminton circles. Although not in the first flight as a player, he is one of the few who are willing to take an active part in the administration of sueh games. Tf a suitable hall had been available a badminton club would have been formed in the Waipawa-Waipulcurau distriet several years ago. At the present time the only regular player from that distriet is Orr, of Waipawa, wlio travels sixty miles by motor-evclc and ear for an evening 's play. Tn Dahnevirke there are already two established clubs.