Basketball members threaten withdrawal

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34089, 28 February 1976, Page 21

Basketball members threaten withdrawal

Six northern associations are expected to consider withdrawing front the New Zealand Basketball Federation if the outcome of a special ■ general meeting of the federation on April .1 in Wellington is not satisfactory to them. The Whangarei, Auckland i men’s, Auckland women's,: ■] Hamilton, South Auckland land North Shore associations, 'which joined forces to de-

mand the special meeting.; are hoping to overturn de-' cisions relating to tournament structure and affiliation lees which were carried at the last annual conference They are understood to feel that the tournament structure is too elaborate and that the decision to levy affiliation fees on a population basis rather than a team basis is unfair The new affiliation fee arrangement means that associations in the Auckland area will pay considerably more than they have previously However, it is well known

in basketball circles that as sociations in the Auckland area have never sought attili ation for all the teams under their jurisdiction and because •>f this unrealistic figures for the area have been provided rhe move to a population basis was intended to over come this and ensure that the northern dubs made a just contribution to the national administration.

“We have been told that they have alternative pro posals." the president of the New Zealand federation (Mr M. A Henshall. of Christchurch) said yesterday. “They have been invited to submit details so that they can be considered by ail other associations.”

Regarding the possible withdrawal of the six associ ations from the federation. Mr Henshall said that nothing specific had been said to him although he had heard comments on the “bush telegraph." The associations were, however, reserving the right to withdraw if they did not like the outcome of the meeting they had called

"They are still a minority, when all is said and done," Mr Henshall said. "1 can se>that a compromise could come out of this." He explained that the associations had failed to attack the expenditure side of the pro. posed plans for the coming season. If this was reduced, then there would not be the same need for high affiliation fees.

One of the Auckland associations, Panmure, is not among those which have sought the meeting.

If the associations withdrew. none of their players would be considered for future New Zealand teams and they would not be able to compete against visiting overseas teams affiliated to the international controlling body, F.1.8.A.. Mr Henshall said. That would mean that no teams from Australia would be able to play them.

They would not be able to compete in the New Zealand provincial or club championships and would cease to get the benefits of the national director of coaching (Mr Lloyd Sanders).