Sharp decline in numbers for tennis interclub comp

There is a sharp decline in the number of teams who will be contesting interclub tennis competitions in Wairarapa in the 2007-08 season.
The drop in entries from last year is almost of double figure proportions although the regional one competition remains at six with Carterton, Masterton, Pirinoa, Gladstone, Opaki and Martinborough again taking the court there.
The regional two men's grade will now consist of just four teams Gladstone, Masterton, Rathkeale College and Wairarapa College while the regional two women's grade is notable for the fact it will contain no actual club sides.
Rather, St Matthew's Collegiate will field three teams there as will Wairarapa College.
The Saturday doubles competition has an entry of only three teams, Gladstone, Opaki and Greytown, while the Wednesday midweek doubles competition has seven teams, one less than last year.
The new executive officer for the Wairarapa Tennis Association, Cilla Paulik, said the entry drop was disappointing and probably due to a number of factors
"We have a lot of players who are at the stage of their lives where they no longer want the commitment of having to turn up week in, week out," she said.
"They enjoy having their weekends free so they can plan other things."
And for the younger brigade it was often a matter of moving away from the Wairarapa after leaving secondary school to continue their studies elsewhere.
"There are all sorts of things which sports like tennis are competing with these days, there's no easy answer to what is happening," she said.
Most of the sides contesting the regional one grade are still in the process of confirming their line-ups but early reports are they will be similar to last year, with the notable exception of Gladstone which has been considerably strengthened by the acquisition of the Stevensons, Baden and Emma, both members of the Wairarapa senior squad.
The regional one series is due to get under way on October 13 and the draw is: Carterton v Masterton at Carterton, Pirinoa v Gladstone at Pirinoa, Opaki v Martinborough at Opaki.
Meanwhile, the Wairarapa association have appointed their officials for the 2007-08 season.
They are: President, Maryann Stuart; chairperson, Marie Millar; executive officer, Cilla Paulik; junior co-ordinators, Cilla Paulik and Lorraine Osborne; senior representative selector, Steve Hurley.
For Paulik the move into the executive officer's role signals the end of a distinguished coaching career going back some 30 years.
It was an end not made by choice but because of a recurring back injury and when her present position became vacant the chance was there to keep an active interest in the sport.