Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-20
JUNIOR TENNIS
PLAYERS NEED
MUCH COACHING
Hoskins Approves Of the
Movement to Help Young
Racquet Wielders
INTERESTING INTERVIEW
By WILLIAM T. TILDEN. sd


1t is seldom that one has the pleasure
of hearing Mr.. Albert l.. Hoskins, vice
president of the U. S. N. L. r. A., speak
his views on tennis in general and around
| Philadelphia in particular. This latter is
| possibly because words fail to express his
| Views on IL.
However, II was my pleasure to have a
long conversation with Mr. Hoskins on
these matters and several interesting
points were brought to light
First. Mr.. Hosklns heartily approved of
| and promised his support TO the move
ment to develop the juniors around Phil
| adelphia which Doctor Dewhurst, Mr.
Gibbons ct al. are in charge of. Mr. Hos
| kins offered to Interest Merton and Hunt
ingdon Valley Clubs in the movement
and also said he would take charge of the
practices at the various clubs whenever
possible.
1T is n fine Idea" said Mr.. Hoskins.
| There are many juniors around the city
| who need encouragement. / am heartily
in favor of 1t and will do anything in my
power TO assist" This from such a
prominent tennis official is indeed boost.
Mr.. Hosleins then turned mis- attention
to the matter of lack Of out-of-town en-
tries in our tournaments. He laid the
whole blame on the large clubs and their
lack of willingness to entertain visiting
players.
THEY deserve to be severely critl-
clzed," said Mr.. Hosklns, speaking of the
clubs attitude on these matters. "Why,
many of the visiting players would hardly
know they were guests of the club"
Novel Practice
Mr.. Hosklns spoke of very novel but
practical plan by which the out-of-town
entries could be secured 1t is this: Let
the Eastern States, from Maryland to
Maine haf
shall send ono or more of its leading
players to every State tournament with
in this district. This reciprocity scheme
would insure at least six or seven players
of merit and rank In all these important
tournaments. Mr.. Hoskins said he would
write the National Association proposing
this matter before the next meeting.
The question of inter-city matches was
brought up. Fine" said Mr.. Hoslslns
"They should be reorganized IL possible
Inc only trouble is getting the team to-
gether since so many of the boys cannot
spare the time, Still it should be en-
couraged and worked up If necessary"
Mr.. Hoskins clearly views the Nc
Loughlin-B -Bundy matter as one of ex-
treme Importance. He is a strict believer
In rigid amateur standing and believes
that these men have clearly violated
clause two of the amateur rule Mr.. Hos
kins is against any capitalization of abll-
ItS III the sporting WOrlu as means of
livelihood. either directly or indirectly
There Is no compromise in his views
Junior Movement
Mr.. Hoskins seems to feel that the most
encouraging sign in the present outlook is
the new junior development plan
He says he considered the PHILADELPHIA
and District Association an instrument of
good in Philadelphia tennis, yet feels that
there is still unfortunately pulling apart
between 1t and the interclub.
Any comment on the tennis situation by
man whose knowledge of tennis affairs
In this and other cities Is as profound as
Mr.. Hoshns is worthy of real thought
over 1t by the players OF the city. What
he indorses is a pretty good thing to work
for Let us all work In this junior plan. |
Let us work for the increased entry lists |
In our tournaments. especially as regards
out-of-town players. Let us boom tennis |
from now on in Philadelphia.
In closing Mr.. Hoslsins just touched the
1915 ranking. What he said was short
and to the point. The gist of its was that
Williams had received an exceedingly raw
deal, while the whole list was nearly
farce.