The Tennis Club

Whilst not wishing to mar the early issues of "Smad" with adverse criticism of any College committee, I feel that a few suggestions of practical improvements applicable to the University tennis club would not be amiss.

Firstly, there is the glaring fault of the non-regulation of periods of play by any member of the committee. A club rule states that no singles, except matches, shall be played whilst other players wait on the level of the courts. I have repeatedly seen, on week nights, the "top-notchers" play set after set whilst others wait. Also, more attention could be paid to Saturday afternoon tennis. At crowded timesa "book" will be run; the "top-notchers" again playing with each other repeatedly all afternoon and leaving the "rabbits" -mostly freshers not personally known to the high executives-to play amongst themselves, giving them no opportunity to mix with better players and improve their game. Here again an improvement suggests itself-could not tuition be arranged for the weaker ones who wish to improve their strokes?

In conclusion I would like to say a word about the interclub matches played each Saturday, for which the University club enters several teams. Whilst not doubting the prowess of those players who perpetually bask in the light of the selective committee's choice, could not the choice of teams be strictly a matter of ladder position? Those on the ladder being unavailable or having no desire to play not being considered. This system is very successful in the other Wellington clubs, which have a higher percentage of success than our own club in which priority is given to players not on the ladder over those who desire to play "interclub." The vulgar might say that a place in a Varsity team depends upon one's good looks rather than on one's ability to play.