Lawn Tennis VALUE OF COACHING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 29, 28 October 1937, Page 13

Lawn Tennis VALUE OF COACHING

"Volleyer.")

Volley Board Excellent for Practice THE RANKING LIST

(By

At the recent annual meeting of the Hastings Lawn Tennis Club it was disclosed that a surprising number of subscriptions remained unpaid. Members who continue to default in this direction will eventually find themselves barred from, all afiiliated tennis clubs. Few spoxting institutions can alford to carry players who are not financial, and it is scareely fair to expect A to. continue to pay for B s tennis, tm the off-chance that B may yet produce his last two yeara' subscriptions. During thia meeting an opinion waa expressed that tha leadipg club players played too little with the weaker members. Among those who do not care to practice the game, this grievance has been common since tennis cluba-first began, and it is time a word was Written in justification of the better players. All of these have attained their sltiJl by years of intensive practice. Their tuccess at the game has cost them botli time and money, not to mention the many disappoinfments whieh attend the evolution of a tennis player. The av.er--age elub member .has a hazy idea that he has only to play a few sets with Agrade exponents to become as proficient as they. Far from it; by playing out of his own class the lparner will only consolidate all his own weaknesses. Value of Volley Board. What our learners must realise is that, if they want iq improve their play, nine-tentha qf the - respousibility rests on. themselves. If no ' coach is available, a book on lawn tennis can be bought for half-a-crown. Having read such a book, any learner can rapidly improve by practice agaiu'st a volley-board. At the meeting under discussion the value of such practice was mentioued by Noel Wilson; one of the best 'players ever to live in Hawke's. Bay. While the volley-board is excellent stroke practice, eourtcraft can only bq acquired by participation in actuul match play. To the boginner, we would ofTer the following advice: 1. Study a book on the game. 2. Practise on the volley-board (on au estimate, fifty hours' practice will improve your game by fifteen — not more). 3. Play in every possible tournament or . club competition, Coaching of Juniors. This season will see an attempt made in Hastings to establish systematie coaching for juniors. At the Hastings club meeting four Hawke's Bay representatives offered their services in this direction, and further information on this subjeet will soon be available. The West End Club possesses in W. Maitland a player of wide experience; if this gentleman eould spare the time he would be an excellent coach, The standard of. junior tennis in this distriet was brougbt into prominence by the games witnessed last Saturday, opening day at the Hastings elub, While there are many other clubs in this town, the one mentioued is the ptrongest. On Saturday the standard .of play was almost unbelievably low. In playing the game the main object is, of course, to enjoy one's self; but the better the play the more enjoyable it becomes. Ranking List. Several of last year's representative players have since left Hawke's Bay. The loss of Miss Molly Budd, who is now living in Wellington, will make a diiference to the provineial team, as for about four seasons she has been high up on the ranking list. Others who have left the distriet include Mrs. Bernau and Neville Simpson. It would be interesting to kuow whether the ranking list -recently published waa based on singles alone or on general ability. With the exception of the omission of one welbknown Waipnkurau player, tlie list is moderately accqrate, but its lack of new arrivals ionds point to the necessity of encouraging junior tennis.

Experience in every brancb ot »«ictio work dating back to 1820 together with the most modern and comprehensivfc coilection of teating apparatua ra the distriet, ia at your oisposai when you requqre radio service by ringing J. A. Lynn cr, Lyndon and ^outhlaud roads Hastings. Phpne 4073.*