Run for basketball

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 409, 22 October 1991, Page 5

Run for basketball

Phillip Johnston (Johno) and Richard Skudder (Skuds) ran from Waiouru to Taihape last Wednesday to raise money for the Minties basketball tournament. Between both runners, this 30km run raised $350 to help cover some expenses for this tournament. Johno finished his run in two and a half hours, Skuds finished shortly after in three and a half hours. They said they were lucky with the weather as it worsened later that day. Toots Brown and Buffy Skudder supported the runners by supplying liquids, sponges, fruit, and encouragment. "They ran well," Toots said,"all they wanted when they finished was icecream and pie." Every Labour weekend, Palmerston North hold a DB basketball tournament. The Minties Club from Christchurch traditionally enter a team. The Mintie team consists of ex-servicemen and women, dependants, and Defence employees who have played for Burnham Camp at some stage. Every year Defence personnel gather from all over New

Zealand to represent the Mintie Club in the Palmerston North DB tournament. "There is no restriction on numbers. Whoever wants to participate can, and teams are then put together,' Toots said. "Minties enter an average of eight teams every year, from the Premier Grade to C Grade. We usually do quite well, and end up in the finals. "This year in the ladies Premier Team we have Sue Bennett, New Zealand representative, and Rhonda Milner, a Canterbury rep." "Each Army camp has a contact person, who sends the names down to the Mintie team coordinator, Puhu Milner, in Christchurch," Toots explained. There are eigth people from Waiouru playing in the tournament. They include Matoha Rukupo, Wilky Wilkinson, Norman Newton, Officer Cadet King. The female members are Sharon Krack, Buffy Skudder, Toots Brown, and Charalene Tukarere.