THE City of York Tennis Championships, first held more than 70 years ago, are in serious jeopardy because of falling entries, and a public meeting has been called to discuss the problems.

This year there were only a handful of men's entries and no women's events were held. The championships were staged at Rowntree Park with the men's singles title went to Oliver Gardner.

Now, in a bid to get more input from York-area players, a public meeting is scheduled for York Tennis Club's headquarters at Clifton Park on Wednesday, January 15 (8pm), when everyone will be invited to have their say.

Tony Precious, the 1985 York champion, who now referees the championships said today: "We recently held a committee meeting to discuss the problems and several views were expressed.

"My first thought was to scrap the event because I felt that a small group of people were working very hard to no avail. Then I thought what about scrapping it for a year and seeing what reaction we got, if any?

"I then had a more positive thought about extending the boundaries for entrants so that more players could compete. Six miles in the current rule and I feel that is too short.

"It seems to me crazy that players who compete against each other every week in the IT Sports York and District Mixed Doubles League, Tykes Petroleum League or Fulford Invitation League, can't play in the championships because they live at Alne, Selby, Tadcaster, Tollerton, Stillington or Wetherby, all more than six miles away. Which other championships are they going to play in if they can't play in York?

"I can see no reason why we can't change the rule to one where anyone who is eligible to play in the local leagues can also play in the championships.

"Whether this results in an increased entry remains to be seen, but at least we would have tried. It may be that people have other ideas. If so, I would urge them to come along to the meeting on January 15."

Precious ruled out a switch to the new Next Generation club on St John's College playing fields which opens on February 1 because of "logisitcal difficulties".

Meanwhile, York and District Mixed Doubles League goes from strength to strength. It was the biggest league in England last year with 83 teams, but now it promises to be even bigger with new entries received from Next Generation, Stamford Bridge, Heworth and Alne.

There is, however, a major doubt about Civil Service, who are scheduled to lose all their sports facilities when the Boroughbridge Road ground closes on April 30.

Civil Service, who have four teams in the league, are looking at the possibility of playing at a different venue in the area. Strensall have taken one of their four teams out.

The league's annual meeting is on Monday, March 3, at Dunnington Tennis Club.

Updated: 12:25 Saturday, December 21, 2002