Linda to lead N.Z.

Press, 14 December 1977, Page 52

Linda to lead N.Z.

by

RAY CAIRNS

Two months ago, Linda Clarke was retired from water polo; she had not, in fact, played since February. Now the only girl in a family heavily involved in sport is captain of the New Zealand team. Linda Clarke had to do well in sport — two of her four brothers have played water polo for Canterbury’, her father attained South Island representation at rugby league — but her appointment this week came out of the blue.

Twice captain of North Beach teams which won second places in the national inter-club championship — and “player of the tournament” on both occasions — Linda Clarke captained teams in trials at the weekend.

“I knew they were testing me, but I didn’t expect the job, because I knew the others were more experienced,” she said. But the selectors (Messrs W. F. 801, B. M. Mustchin and J. C. Baart) named Clarke, now of Pegasus, ahead of the Whakatane 16-year-old, Yvonne Baart, who has been given responsibility early by being named vice-captain. The country’s captain,

now 20, stopped playing after, in quick succession, touring Queensland with the New Zealand team, then playing in the national championships. The temporary break became something permanent until, just before Labour week-end, she felt she “couldn’t do without the

training; I was just sick of doing nothing.” Clarke feels she has a good team with her, at least the equal of the February team, and in fact it is virtually the team she expected to be chosen. The swing of power of national women’s water polo is certainly reflected in the selections. When the first

New Zealand team was chosen, less than three years ago — when Linda Clarke was first playing and in the Canterbury team — there were 13 from Auckland and two from Canterbury. Now there are five from Canterbury — and w’ith two former representatives, Jane Irwin and Jackie Anink, not available — only three from Auckland, two from Wellington and Baart from Bay of Plenty. The Canterbury representatives include three of the four new selections: Colleen Coulter and Jackie Sharpies, of Pegasus, and Gill Smeith, the Beckenham captain and goalie. The other Canterbury player is Elizabeth Archer (Beckenham). The new representative from Wellington is Michelle Barrell, and the remainder of the side is Jd-anne Barker (Wellington), Baart, and Alison Carter, Carolyn Hogan and Leanne Mazzoleni (all of Auckland). The reserves are both Canterbury players, Toni Grooby, now in Auckland, and Janice Murdoch. The national team will tour Australia after the club championships in Christchurch from January 14 to