Services To Basketball

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28260, 24 April 1957, Page 15

Services To Basketball

Among those who will attend the silver jubilee functions of the Celtic Basketball Club next weekend are three women—all club members—who have become very well known in the sport in Canterbury and in other parts of New Zealand. They are Mesdames R. Lane, F. Gough, and M. Clark.

Mrs Lane’s service to basketball in New Zealand is known throughout the country. She was the Celtic club’s foundation coach from 1933 to 1936, and lately has filled administrative posts on the Canterbury . and New Zealand Associations. She was appointed

a Canterbury selector and coach from 1938 to 1946, and was later elected president of the Canterbury Association. In 1949 she was elected to a similar position on the New Zealand Association, and she 4s still giving her services in that capacity. In 1946 Celtic was fortunate in securing the services of its present coach, Mrs Gough, and the great improvement in the club’s teams in ball handling, courtcraft, speed, and fitness, are testimonials to her prowess as a coach. She became in turn a Canterbury representative, a New Zealand referee, and is at present a senior selector and coach. She is regarded as one of the Dominion’s leading referees. Mrs Clark (formerly Miss McGrade) is Celtic’s outstanding player;, and one of the club’s most

popular members. She has the longest playing career in the club, having played for 11 years, between 1941 and 1951. She was a team captain for eight consecutive seasons; has served Celtic on the committee of the Canterbury Association; and is the club’s present secretary. In 1952 she acted as assistant coach, and the same year, as a reward for her great services, was elected the club’s only life member. She has also been a Canterbury representative.

The jubilee functions w;U conclude next week-end with a ball. Mass on Sunday morning and games between past and present players in the afternoon are to be followed by a conversazione. All these functions will be held in the Spencer street parish grounds and buildihgs.