MELODY'S TUNE

NZ Truth, Issue 1215, 14 March 1929, Page 15

MELODY'S TUNE

£Jrges Junior Tennis Scheme

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Tennis Correspondent.) . If there is one man m New Zealand who has done more for junior tennis than W. J. Melody, of Wellington, "N.Z. Truth" has yet to meet him. HIS entire spare time for many years past has been given up to the sport, and his enthusiasm and his irrepressible -smile have been bright spots m provincial and national tennis during that period. :' • i ' ;; Under his direct organisation, th^i Wellington -.;. primary tourna% meht has been' successfully promoted m recent years, but Bill Melody is now ext en d i rig ' his ideas to embrace the whole of the. Dominion. , ' "While there may be weaknesses .• -m his scheme,- it is wen worth the serious consideration of the New Zealand 3 Council and/of all; | provincial assbci- | ations. ■■.••'■.;"; % His proposals include . biennial national tournaments for. juniors and inter-island matches. While these may present difficulties such as the restricted finances of associations and the problem of young girls travelling' fax- away from home, it must bey possible to give effect tb a greater part of thte scheme. Melody's 1 work Has been until quite recently lone-handed work, and 1 his only recompense has been vthepleasure of seeing a young school of tennis-players growing up around "him? The cry m every branch of sport.today is for youth to have its chance. But for any practical benefit to be derived, if this cry is given effect to, youth must have the preliminary knowledge before it can safely be given its chance, and Melody !s scheme Offers the way out. The scheme is propounded on his years, of experience and should be thoroughly considered before .it meets the fate ; of so many other ■ measures which haye for_ years been obscured . by dust m the pigeon-holes. The' provincial*. associations are not doing their part at home. 1 The scheme of coaching and match jolay on a national basis is the only feasible way of breaking down the prejudice which is still nursed against the advance of prodigious youth.

QPUNAKE possesses a fine band of swimmers who will do more to keep the town on ..-.the map than will its harbor, though ratepayer's have expended £55,000 on the latter. At New Plymouth on Saturday, the Opunake A team won the Tabor Shield for lifesaving m a heavy surf, at Fitzr.oy, securing 182 points out of a possible 195. . ■•- ; ■•■-. .. •,. :.■•'■■.■ The Opunake ■.team' : comprised Me- ■ Allum (support),, Wilson • (beitman), Sinclair (second linesman), G. Harrison (reelsman). Spiers (first line,shmn), Smith (third- linesman and resuscitator), and J. Harrison (patient). Four ;of this team gained. Honors m Wellington;- .- ■.. ' : .r - : '■■ , '.-' ,; ■ • ■;•.• ■ TT is' only divers like Roy Calder and ■ H:' . Walker who 'can introduce comedy into a swimming meeting. Just as these two splendid exponents know how to make diving the most graceful of all aquatic sports, they can also turn their versatility into clever farce. At the St. Clair Club's carnival' (Dunedin) the other evening 1 , they put on a turn which, wouldn't have .to look round very long for a vaudeville home. Walker's "statue" dive reminds one of George Robey as a Cupid (gardenfountain pattern),, while the pair's double-man dive is an acrobatic fe.at of no mean ..quality, , ; ■; • ...