Men netballers start petition

Press, 3 June 1981, Page 26

Men netballers start petition

PA Auckland * ■ More than 2000 signatures have been collected by Auckland men netballers who have organised a petition protesting about a ban placed on men using Netball Association affiliates’ courts. The names on the petition swelled when the men netballers held a field day at Nga Tapuwai College, Mangere, on Sunday. Mrs Helen Kesha', the president of the Inner City Netball Clubs, said that a meeting had originally been planned to be held at Mangere College on Sunday morning. However, it was later decided to call a meeting of all Auckland, South and West Auckland, as well

as North. Shore club captains to plan a protest to the Auckland and New Zealand Netball Associations. “We are still planning to take the matter to the Human Rights Commission." said Mrs Kesha. “While there are a sprinkling of pakehas among the men netballers, the players are predominantly Polynesian. “We feel that the Polynesians are being discriminated against as well as the men.’’ When a venue for the meeting is found, and the most likely is the Te Una Waka Ma'rae in Manukau Road, Mrs Kesha intends to ask affiliated netballers to help in changing the minds of Netball Association officials.