Further Achievements Of Basketball in Tauranga District

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14949, 9 April 1949, Page 2

Further Achievements Of Basketball in Tauranga District

Selections For New Zealand

Representatives

Improvements Outlined

By President

“Firstly the representative a Team successfully defended theiV E Grade leadership at the Dominion tournament at New Plymouth an secondly Tauranga was included m the itinerary of the All Australian Basketball Team’s tour of New Zea land m August and September of 1948,” stated the president of the Tauranga Basketball Association Mr B. K. Gifford, when speaking ?f the further achievements in basket ball in Tauranga.

“Although, as was to be expected’ this side proved too strong for the combined Tauranga-Matamata team the game was of a particularly hi?h standard and *\vas thoroughly en joyed by an exceedingly ‘ large crowd. 6

“Further laurels came to Tauranga in the selection of Miss Pamela Johnson to represent New Zealand .in the first test against Australia, but unfortunately, through her nursing duties, she was unable to play. Then Miss Betty Steedman of Tauranga was selected to replace Miss Dixie Cockerton, who was injured in the Tauranga-Australian game, in the third test in Auckland. Both of these selections reflected the greatest credit on the Standard of play in the Tauranga Association. “A welcome innovation during the season was the creation of Maori Representative teams,” continued the speaker. “These teams travelled to Matamata and Rotorua and gave very creditable performances. At Rotorua several Maori players were chosen for the trials to select a Maori representative team to play the Australians. Through the combined efforts of Mr Church and Mrs Ingram the organising, coaching and management of the Maori Representative teams was possible.”

Cost Of Courts

Mr Gifford explained that the executive had further considered the possibility cf forming two additional bitumenised courts, but the continued high costs had precluded any further action being taken. The Association had in hand a grant of £IOO from the Department of Internal Affairs, given to assist in the construction of new courts. As the estimated cost for the two courts had been in the vicinity of £7OO, and beyond the capability of the Association, a request had been made to the Department that the grant be used for re-sealing the present courts and to this request the Department had agreed.

“The finances of the association continue to maintain a satisfactory level but with the next Dominion tournament being held in Dunedin the 1949 expenses will be exceedingly heavy and it will be necessary, to explore all avenues to raise sufficient funds to meet our obligations,” Mr Gifford pointed out. “The Railway Social Club continue to use the courts during the summer months and continue to contribute half the annual rental paid to the borough council. Up until the past season this annual rental has been on a fluctuating scale, but representations to the council last year have now established it on a fixed annual payment. “Of particular interest to players will be the passing of a Tauranga remit at the annual Dominion conference at New Plymouth. This remit requested that the time taken for marching during tournaments be strictly limited and that no parade 'exceed one half mile.

In outlining improvements made, the president said that the addition of further conveniences to the pavilion had been made during the past season and the stall also had been enlarged, and electricity connected. In connection with the pavilion arrangements had been made for a sketch plan and estimates to be prepared for further additions to the pavilion to provide for a secretary’s room and control room. These plans, however, had not vet come to hand. Mr Gifford concluded by thanking all those who had given their time and substance in the suppoVt of basketball in Tauranga. ■ Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows: Patronesses, Mesdames L. R. Wilkinson and F. W. Doidge; president, Mr B. K. Gifford; vice-presidents, Mesdames S. A. Woods, C. C. Southey, C. W. Johnson, Messrs T. Church and V. Halpin; secretary, Mr S. M. Spitz; treasurer, Mrs M. Denniston; delegates, Mrs J. Ingram, Misses P. Johnson, A. Jones. B. Steedman, N. Ellis and Si. Marcroft: hon. auditor, Mr E. Craigsocial convenor, Mrs S. A. Woods, social committee, Mesdames C. C. Southey, M. Denniston and oMurray, Misses Maureen, Mona and Lorna Morrissey, B. Steedman, PGrayling, P. Johnson and P- 11Green; selectors, Miss N. Ellis and Mr T. Church; selector and coach for Maori team, Mrs J. Ingram.