Assn. Team Unable To Play

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31315, 10 March 1967, Page 14

Assn. Team Unable To Play

An attempt by the MidCanterbury Indoor Basketball Association to enter its senior representative team in the Christchurch A grade interclub competition this season had only partial success when the Canterbury association met last evening. The Mid-Canterbury association would- for the purposes of its entry, have to be regarded as a club and the present constitution forbids recognition of any club with an entry of less than two teams.

Another clause in the constitution states that no team can apply for A grade status unless it has played at least one season in a lower grade. It was agreed that MidCanterbury could play each week against the A grade team having the bye on an unofficial basis. Alternatively, it could enter two teams in the competitions this season and possibly win its way into

the A grade with one of them the following year. Mid-Canterbury had sought entry because it did not have a coach this season and was intending to approach one of the unsuccessful candidates for the Canterbury coachselector’s position, said Mr A. W. Berrett. The team would then come to Christchurch each week-end for its training sessions and it would be a great help to it if it could play in the Saturday competitions. Sportsman of Year.—On the recommendation of the annual meeting, the management committee will institute an award to a "Canterbury basketball player of the year." Further consideration will be given to the rules applying to the award when a suitable trophy is obtained.

Competitions will begin on April 8 (Saturday) and April 11 (Tuesday), subject to the confirmation of the competitions committee's approval after studying the entries. Donations of 130 each were made to HHlmorton and Mairehau High Schools for the pur-

chase of basketball equipment in their new gymnasium. Queensland Visit.—The North Queensland touring team will visit Christchurch on August 7 and will probably play a Canterbury representative team. There is, nevertheless, a chance that the team may play in Ashburton instead.

The Itinerary is:—July 28. Hutt Valley or Wellington; July 31, Masterton; August 1, Blenheim; August 3. Nelson; August 5, Greymouth; August 7, Christchurch; August 9, Dunedin; August 10, Gore; August 12, Invercargill, Nominated. Nine players from Canterbury have been nominated for the New Zealand colts' team on the recommendation of last season’s colts’ selector (Mr R. S. Thomson). They are:—R. Millard (St. Andrew's), B. Hepenstall, K. Laxton,T. Guthrie, I. Simson (Christchurch Boys’ High School), J. Uttley, A. Taylor (Christ's College), J. Gulllford (University). Nominations close on Saturday. A special trial will probably be held in Christchurch on April 1 under the direction of the New Zealand junior coach (Mr T. Wright, of Nelson). The Canterbury association Is awaiting confirmation of the date from Mr Wright. Only 20 players will be allowed to take part in the trial.