Jeanette finds niche in Aust.

Press, 28 March 1979, Page 38

Jeanette finds niche in Aust.

Jeanette Howard, the former New Zealand representative and Canterbury’s “woman basketbailer of the year” in 1977 and 1978, is having a splendid introduction to the sport in Australia.

Miss Howard left New Zealand last September after being recruited by the ManlyWarringah basketball club in Sydney, and according to press clippings sent to her family is proving to be a trump card for the team. The “Manly Daily” said she was the “best woman player ever recruited by the club,” and her 91 points from only' four club games this season speak volumes for her worth.

Miss Howard’s club is leading the Sydney metropolitan senior championship and, her talents have been quickly recognised: she has been picked for the New South Wales state training squad for both the under-20 and senior levels. Miss Howard was selected for the New Zealand secondaryschools side in 1977 and

made the national women’s team a year later, but to qualify for the Australian side she would have to become a naturalised citizen. Her mother, Mrs Jean Howard, said yesterday that her daughter would be unlikely to take this step. “I think she wants to come back and play for New Zealand, but it probably wouldn’t be before Christmas,” she said.

Miss Howard was offered a two-year contract with Manly, but it was turned down on the advice of both her parents and the New Zealand Basketball Federation. “We felt at 18 she was too young to sign a contract of that length, but she is a very loyal person and I think she will stay with Manly for a fair while,” said Mrs Howard. Meanwhile, Miss Howard, who scored 25 points in her last club game, will continue to play for the club and possibly the New South Wales team, experience which can only be of considerable value to New Zealand in the future.