Czech Tourists Here Next Week

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32352, 18 July 1970, Page 15

Czech Tourists Here Next Week

The Czechoslovak men’s basketball team, Slavia Vysoke Skoly, will have little time to prepare for the opening match of its 10-day tour of New Zealand against Canterbury at Cowles Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The 13 players, who have , an average height of 6ft I Sin, and their coach, Mr Jaroslav Sip. are expected to arrive at Christchurch Airport late on Tuesday afternoon, after a successful tour of Australia. There seems little chance of them having a practice later that evening. Cowles Stadium is booked by another sport. However, it is possible that a smaller school gymnasium will be made available should the tourists want to loosen up after their journey. “I have no idea what they will want," said the president of the Canterbury Men’s Basketball Association (Mr J. Grocott) yesterday. “It is very likely that they will not want a run until Wednesday morning.” A former Christchurch player, P. Lund-Jackson, who

now lives in Auckland, has been added to the New Zealand team by the selectorcoach, MrT. Wright (Nelson). His inclusion comes after Auckland recently beat the New Zealand team three times in one week-end. Lund-Jackson, who was ; transferred to Auckland soon ; after the start of last season, ; did not win a place in the , Canterbury A team. He was ’ a regular member of the Can- ’ terbury B team (as distinct ; from the B grade team) until ;it was abandoned. He has since become a key member . of the Auckland team. New Zealand will play two ' matches against the Czecho- ' Slovaks, at Tauranga on July ’ 28 and at Auckland on July : 29.