Inquiry into former captain’s allegations

Press, 12 April 1984, Page 40

Inquiry into former captain’s allegations

Several members of the New Zealand Basketball Federation’s executive are to be asked to inquire into allegations made earlier this week by the deposed captain of the national men’s side, Stan Hill, that up to eight of last year’s team withdrew from recent trials because they were dissatisfied with the chief coach, Mr Peter Schmidt, of Auckland. The chairman of the executive, Mr Graeme Davey, of Christchurch, said last evening that executive members representing the districts of national players who had withdrawn from

this year’s trials will be asked to speak to the players and discuss the allegations. If they are substantiated then the matter will be discussed by a full meeting of the executive. When discussing his omisssion from the national squad with “The Press” on Monday evening, Hill said that he knew of six members of last year’s team who were not available this year because of their dissatisfaction with Mr Schmidt.

In a later report Hill asserted that there were eight players. (Only two of last year’s national squad for the Commonwealth

championships, Tony Smith, of Hamilton, and John Hill, of Canterbury, are available this year. Gilbert Gordon, of Wellington, but then of Canterbury, was a non-playing reserve with the squad. All three have been named for this year’s squad). “When a statement is made by the captain of a national team, such as the one Hill made this week, it cannot be ignored,” said Mr Davey. “We feel it is better for executive members to personally discuss the matter with the players concerned rather than ask for written statements,” he said.