Basketball N.Z. TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28894, 14 May 1959, Page 24

Basketball N.Z. TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

Unanimous Vote By Delegates (New Zealand Press Association) NAPIER, May 13. The first tour by a New Zealand representative basketball team of a country where international rules are Played is to be taken in 1960 when a New Zealand team will tour Australia. This was decided at this morning’s session of the New Zealand Basketball Association’s council meetings Delegates voted unanimously in favour of such a tour. The decision arose from a remit put forward by the Rotorua association “that every endeavour be made to send, as soon as possible, a New Zealand team to tour one of the countries where international rules are played.” The council’s secretary (Mrs W. K. Coatsworth) read two letters from the Australian association inviting a New Zealand team to visit the country. She gave £lOOO as an estimate of the cost to the New Zealand association of such a tour. The president (Mrs R. Lane) said New Zealand had changed to international rules so as to bring the game in the Dominion into line with overseas countries and to enable overseas tours to be made. Miss S. E. Foster, New Zealand Basketball Referees’ Association delegate said: “It would appear that it would not be a great expense to the association. It has been mentioned that it is perhaps a little early to consider such a tour, but I can think of no greater spur to the game and the international rules.” Mrs Lane asked members whether they thought it would be correct to mortgage funds or to use general funds if the tour fund was not sufficient to cover the tour. Mrs H. D. Muir (Wellington): The tour is an important one because it will keep New Zealand on the international field. Is there therefore any reason why the council cannot use some of the general funds? Miss E. V. Bell (Matamata): A levy is collected from players for tours overseas and we should use this money for such. Miss M. A. McKenzie (Otago) said she felt the time was opportune to accept such an invitation. The Hawke’s Bay delegate, Miss G. M. Symes, also spoke in favour of the tour and said that now the rules were in line with those in overseas countries, tours should be encouraged.

The remit was carried unanimously.