Sport for all

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32706, 8 September 1971, Page 25

Sport for all

A wide range of recreational activities is available to both residents and visitors in Nelson. All the recognised sports are strongly supported and excellent facilities are available for the large variety of sporting activities. The amalgamation last year of the Nelson and Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby unions has brought about a noticeable improvement in the standard of play throughout the area once administered by the two bodies. Cricket, athletics, cross country running, soccer, golf, tennis, badminton, roller skating, darts, squash, hockey, softball, netball all these sports receive the active participation of the public, but not all achieve the same degree of success as indoor basketball. Nelson is nationally recognised to be one of the top indoor basketball provinces. It has had its share • of national

honours and national representatives.

Perhaps its success stems from participation in the junior competitions run by the Y.M.C.A. for many years. The youngsters, many no more than eight or nine, learn the rudiments of the game with the Y and then receive more sophisticated coaching at the secondary schools. At this level the competitions are very keenly contested and with many former New Zealand representatives and coaches available for coaching, it is little wonder that the sport has prospered in Nelson. But one of the most popular sports and a lucrative one is pig shooting. Now that large quantities of venison and game such as wild pig is being exported, a shooter can make quite a few dollars in a week-end and without haying to travel too far for his game.