SPORT

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 35, 10 February 1939, Page 16

SPORT

by

S.V.

McEwen

NEW ZEALAND is this year to continue its participation in the Davis Cup contest, our representatives being Malfroy and Coombe, who are already well established and firmly rooted in England, and Neil Edwards, who won the national singles title at Wilding Park, Christchurch, last month. Edwards deserved his place in the sun if ever a player did. He may never reach the world class, but one thing I am certain of: We have never sent a more worthy ambassador overseas than this likeable young man. Edwards is a public servant. He is employed as an architectural draughtsman in the Railways De-. partment and, win, lose or draw, he has his craft to return to in New Zealand.

Winning games and an ultimate career as a sports goods salesman will not worry him in his sojourning overseas. Nor will the reputations of the opponents he has to meet. Edwards is a philosopher on the tennis court. That is why he has done so well. He is well equipped so far as stroke play is concerned and he works on the theory that where talent is of a fairly equal standard, the player who is impulsive, and whose impatience entices him into errors, will be the first to crack up. That does not mean that Hdwards is one of the "hoop-’em-‘back" variety. He applies speed to his ground shots and is subtle when he gets in close to take stuff on the volley; but he is a model in restrained accuracy when it is mecessary, and you seldom see him going in on the wrong ball or at the wrong time. Edwards has the correct mental approach to the game and for that reason alone he is certain to derive improvement from his experiences abroad, It is to be hoped that he receives his dues in the matter of selection when the team to play for the Davis Cup elimination rounds is chosen. As Malfroy and Coombe have settled in England. definitely and the Dominion is unlikely to derive any future benefit whatever from their experience in world .tennis, it seems a pity that the New Zealand Lawn ‘Tennis Association does not give more consideration to the desirability of sending

abroad two colonial players who are certain to return after the Wimbledon’ tournament, especially in view of the fact that finance is available in the Davis Cup Fund to assist towards the expenses of players coming from long distances. Surf Champion T is customary these days for internationals in various forms of sport, who are chosen to go overseas, to sink into oblivion on their return, take up some other pastime and never be heard of again.

It is interesting therefore to note that one of the youngest of our New Zealand surf representatives, who accompanied the New Zealand team to Sydney last year, has already distinguished himself in his- home province. At the Canterbury provincial surf championships a few days ago, 19-year-old H. Goldsmith, a member of Taylor’s Mistake Surf and Life Saving Club, carried off the Canterbury beltman’s championship. Only those who have taken part in this form of swimming know what is exacted in the way of physical effort from the man who tests his energy against the surging of the restless ocean.

Time is the great factor in surf rescue work, and for that reason high value is placed on the time standard in competitive work. Great steamships have been slowed up by the ocean, and the human frame is not easily propelled at a high rate of speed even when the surf is reasonably calm. Goldsmith showed a lot of promise in winning the Canterbury title for he had to subdue the redoubtable Alan Dalton in his heat. Dalton was twice national belt

champion. ‘Inen, just to make good measure, Goldsmith had to outstrip Alec Symes in the final. Ié will occasion no surprise if Goldsmith takes a foremost place in the national surf competitions at Auckland this month. Why Budge Turned HAVE just read the first instalment of an interesting article by Don Budge outlining his reasons for turning professional, and making some interesting comments on various aspects of tennis in the world sense. |

Unlike so many stars who have been lured into the big money, Budge says at the outset that he has no grouch with the tennis authorities, Just the reverse is the case. He is deeply grateful to them for the opportunities they gave him to see the world and meet many good people. Budge reveals that Mike Jacobs, leviathan sports promoter, offered him 50,000 dollars to leave the amateur ranks in 1937. Budge felt that he had a duty to the "'nited States to assist in the defence of the Davis Cup, which had just been won back after a decade of strenuous endeavour. He took the chance of a year’s delay and that the offer would be renewed.

Then, quite naturally, he devoted himself to a career in tennis. His ambition is to acquire sufficient wealth to set his parents up in a nice home in Oakland, California, and then quit big tennis at the end of three years. Budge has no use for the amateur stars who kick against the restrictions which prevent them from living on the game professionally while still retaining their amateur status. At the same time he agrees that no one can go far in the game in these times if he has @ business or a profession to look after. He asks, can the same rules which were practical 20 years ago when men of money could —

give their whole time to big tennis, be applied to players today who have to make their way in the world and at the same time be expected to give six months each year to the game? Associations, he says, encourage boys to play good tennis, but give no help to them in a business way. He advocates associations helping the near-stars whose services are almost continually required, to progress in business careers. A Medical Critic A NEW PLYMOUTH medical man, who obviously has not endeavoured to arm himself with the true facts, has launched a broadside into the forthcoming Fitness Week. From the tone of his remarks it is evident that he believes Fitness Week will be nothing more nor less than a ecavaleade of muscle and brawn. Sound criticism never did anyone any harm, but this is not the spirit of helpfulness one would expect from a practising member of the greatest of all social services. The health of the people is a matter of major importance to any nation, and one would expect members of the medical profession to be in the forefront of any movement to improve it, There will be displays of muscle during Fitness Week, but that is not the only ‘factor in the scheme. In the course of a few weeks, every one of you will be invited to witness a spectacle which will embrace all forms of athletic

endeavour in the youth movement of our young country. The object of it is to get you interested in that marvellous piece of human mechanism which you and I do so much to abuse every day of our lives by giving it too little exercise, by giving its digestive organs too much to do, and in many other ways of which we receive a patent reminder each time we see our selves reflected full lengh in profile. The purpose of these displays is to awaken interest among the people and make them health conscious. It is not the idea to subtlely induce anyone to take up hiking, prize-fighting, or any other form of athletic exertion. The object is to encourage people to learn the benefits to be derived from a healthy body and mind. Fitness Week should sow the seeds of an aim for good health. That is all the Minister seeks to achieve. The rest remains with the people themselves, but they can help to lay a sound foundation for the future by giving what support they can to the hurriedly-arranged Fitness Week which takes place at the end of this month. No doubt the people of New Plymouth, and other provincial towns, have plenty of room to breathe and ample opportunity for’ exercise. But with many others, the position is slightly different. The city dweller leads a more or less controlled existence. Opportunities for any form of exercise beyond the cheap one of walking to and from work are few and far between, Playing grounds are congested; the transport question is an acute one; and the combination of circumstances provides us with _@ ready excuse for be-

coming spectators instead of players while our waistbands expand at an alarming rate. It is the youth of the Dominion who provide a fertile field for exploitation in this great movement. Modern conditions of living have encouraged the desire to take our pleasures easily-sitting down if. ) pgssible..;,.:-32 z.a3f2