WOMEN IN SPORT

Te Ao Hou, Spring 1954, Page 44

WOMEN IN SPORT The national hockey tournament, national basketball tournament, and national indoor basketball tournament have all been held recently, and in each sport Maori girls were prominent. At Nelson the hockey was most exciting, and Janie Maxwell of Auckland won a place in the North Island team and was Captain of the ‘Rest’ in the match against the New Zealand side. She is a splendid athlete and it will not be long before she wins a Dominion blazer. If a touring side were being chosen this year she would seem to be assured of a place. Another young player to do well—although her side was not very successful—was Janie Kenny of Wellington. Janie is still a student at the Wellington Technical College, and needs to make only slight progress to go a long way in the game. Like Miss Maxwell, she is a most accomplished indoor basketball player, although a little young and inexperienced to win a place in the very strong Wellington side.

The outdoor basketball tournament at Hastings did not attract so many Maoris, but I did hear that Harriett Tomlins was one of Wellington's most reliable and consistent players. Harriett is a real trier, and, perhaps because the tournament was played in her home town, she seemed to put something more than her best foot forward. There is little doubt that indoor basketball is the most spectacular sport played by New Zealand women. The North Island tournament played at Hamilton and the national tournament in Wellington both saw some thrilling games, and in the two strongest sides Maoris were well represented. Wellington have two Maoris, Rangi Wallace and Mahi Potiki, and Auckland have six. Rangi is about the fastest guard in New Zealand and Mahi, who is nearing the veteran class—having first appeared for Wellington in 1942—is a most experienced and resourceful player. In the Auckland side Janie Maxwell and May Smith are two of the stars. May Smith is exceptional. She is no youngster—her daughter was in the Auckland second team—yet she was the most prolific scorer in the tournament. May is a master of the hook shot—a shot which is almost impossible to guard—and the ease with which she very casually flicks the ball through the hoop is a constant source of amazement, even to those who see her often. Both May and Janie Maxwell won places in the North team for the inter-island match, and May particularly played an astute game. She shot some good goals, but more important still was her feeding play to the centres. North won easily, and I would suggest that had they played to the left-hand court—and May Smith—instead of to Dawn Ashton on the right, the score would have been larger. Not only are our girls doing so well in sport, but also it is most gratifying to find that they are both popular and respected. These girls who play in the big games are well in the public eye, and one can be proud of them both on and off the court. Our congratulations and good wishes to them all.