BASKETBALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 701, 28 June 1929, Page 13

BASKETBALL

SHORTAGE OF COURTS LIMIT ON PLAYERS While a shortage of playing areas has hampered to some extent the progress of the three codes of football in Auckland, other winter sports bodies arc also faced with a similar problem, and in the case of basketball it is most pronounced. A striking illustration of the tremendous strides this game has made among New Zealand girls was provided by the annual tournament of the N.Z.G.8.A., which was held in Auckland last season, and which featured teams representing 4,000 club players throughout the whole of the Dominion. But these figures belong to last season. This year the game has more followers than ever, and Auckland naturally ranks foremost in number of players. But unfortunately this city is facing the difficult problem of a severe ground shortage. LIMIT ON PLAYERS At the present time Auckland boasts of 60 basketball teams, which represent nearly 600 players, and this number would be still greater if it had not been necessary to place a limit on the number of players owing to the shortage of courts. The association at the present time lues no playing areas of its own, and has no option but to depend entirely upon the courts situated at Wellesley Street School, Education Board’s office grounds, Technical College and the University, which means that the players are somewhat scattered. It is anticipated, however, that a plentiful supply of grounds will be available next season at the Remnera hockey grounds, which is controlled by the Girls' Athletic Association, a body which has done much in fostering the sport. ASSOCIATION’S OFFICERS The officers of the Auckland Basketball Association who are directly responsible for the great strides made by the game are: President. Miss F. E. Lee; vice-presidents, Misses C. McFarland, J. Mueller, G. Gebbie; secretary, Miss E. Wigmore; treasurer, Miss T. Ogilvie. This year, for the first time, a selection committee has been forfired. and this consists of Misses F. E. Lee, T. Ogilvie and G. Gebbie. The annual New Zealand tournament has been fixed to take place at Christchurch this year, commencing on August 24. It will take about a week to play-off. Auckland had definitely decided to be represented, and as the city’s rep. team has not suffered defeat for many seasons, it is naturally expecting again to clinch the Dominion honours. Wellington has always proved a dangerous opposition, and some trouble is expected from that quarter. TOMORROW’S TEAMS The following teams will represent their respective clubs in the Auckland Basketball Association’s matches tomorrow:— GRAMMAR OLD GIRLS Senior Grade—Misses A. Coupland, F. Vail. A. Greaves, L. Scott, J. Jeffs, X. Gallaher, M. Anderson, J. Harper, M. Ramsay. Second Grade A—A bye. Second Grade B—Misses C. Ashwin, P. Woods, M. Shenken. M. Grant, B. Strand, W. Bigelow, L. Linton, D. Cooke, E. Stonex. Third Grade —Misses M. Davies, It. Whitten, R. Shenken, D. Armstrong, J. Howell. M. Bigelow, D. Treadgold, J. Foreman, 31. Miller. ST. DAVID’S Senior Grade—Misses B. Bruce, _H. Dickison, J. Maud, B. Chalmers, R. V. inkelmann, J. Taylor, V. Reilly. S. Smith, F. Shilcock. Reserve: J. Delores. KILLARUA Senior Grade. —Misses X. Jacombs, R. Edwards, E. Hunt. M. West, C. Turner, j Stichbury, J. Alison, L. Adams, J. MacDougall. Third Grade- —Misses X). Lane, T Arnold. M. Sadler. B. Williams, B. Robinson, M. Sewell, S. Batty, J. Warring, P ’ Willmette.