Auckland Girls Lead the Dominion at Basketball

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 773, 20 September 1929, Page 7

Auckland Girls Lead the Dominion at Basketball

Game Was First Brought to New Zealand by Presbyterian Minister 20 Years Ago — Today, Over 4,000 Girls Play the Game in Auckland Alone —Representatives of This City Have Won Every New Zealand Tournament Yet Held —Successful Club Season Briefly Reviewed.

one of New Zealand's chief sports for girls, basketball has madegreat strides during the past few years. In Auckland city and suburbs alone, there are (inclusive of schools and colleges) about 4.500 girls playing the game. Introduced to New Zealand from Australia about 20 years ago by the Rev. A. Miller, who brought it to Auckland when he was minister of the Edendale Presbyterian Church, the game was at first played only by girls: of the Presbyterian Bible Classes. These classes were later joined by other clubs, such as Training College.

As the game gained a footing in primary schools, teams were gradually formed among past students. And so from a modest nucleus the sport has grown until today it is played everyAvhere —its grip may be truly said to be Dominion-wide. Its latest development has been the formation of teams among girls of business houses In the first instance, the game of basketball in New Zealand was a sport for the “brawny.” There were only seven players a-side. No rule existed to prevent the ball from being thrown from one end of the court to the other. Today, there are nine girls to a side, and such handling of the ball is forbidden. The inception of the sport in New Zealand saw the use of a basket as the objective for goal-throwing.

the basket from which the game derived its name. But goal-throwing was soon improved to such an extent that these large baskets were replaced by smaller rings, the regulation size of which has steadily decreased until today the ring just# permits the ball to pass through. Goal-throwing has truly become a fine art. From a game for the “brawny” basketball has gradually changed into a sport for the “brainy.” The ability to think and act quickly wins the day, and the game where short, snappy passing is combined with open play is considered the ideal. About seven years ago, the New Zealand Basketball Association was founded. It has done a great deal to foster the game. “Under its administration tournaments are held annually, at which teams from provincial associations throughout the Dominion compete. In 1928 seven teams took part. This year there were 12. That

New Zealand Association’s policy of inducing the new local associations t< become affiliated. In all there have, been four tournaments. The first was at Dunedin in 192(1, the second at Wellington in 1927, the third at Auckland in 1928. and the fourth at Christchurch this year. The outstanding sides of the tournament were Wellington. Otago. Auckland and Southland. Wellington’s play was brilliant and sound throughout. It came to grips with Auckland in the final, and was defeated by the narrowmargin of one goal. Otago’s work was good but erratic; and Southland w-as a heavy side, whose weight stood them in good stead. Auckland has now won al! four tournaments, with Wellington runner-up. Its victory this year was by no means as easy as it has been on previous occasions. Each year the competition becomes keener and the play of other centres better. This year the

Auckland side was hampered by the inability of three girls to carry on in the matches, and in fact played one match with one girl short. In the final the half-time score was 10 —2 against Auckland. In the second half the Auckland girls rallied, and played the game of their lives. Every ounce was put into it. and after a terrific battle they wrested victory from Wellington by 14 goals to 13. Auckland’s last three goals were gained in the last three minutes. Miss J. Mueller. captain of the Auckland team, was presented with a silver manicure set by Dr. Thacker, of Christchurch, for being the outstanding player in the tournament. The runner-up for this prize was Miss J. Mclntosh, also of the local side, and Miss H. Roberts, of the Wellington team, was third. Next year the tournament is to be staged at Hastings. This basketball season in Auckland has been very successful. The

high standard of play in the senior grade has been maintained, and in the lower grades play has improved. with quicker and more reliable passing and more combination. There has also been an increase in the number of girls playing. In the seniors the strongest suit are the University teams, of whie there are two. of ostial standing—Vai sity Whites and Varsity Blues. Kil arua is a team that has made a nan for itself this season by the rnamu in which it has acquitted itself i the senior ranks immediately at*t« bfcing promoted from second grade—

standard of play which it lias in no wise fallen short of. In the lower grades the most outstanding sides are the second and fourth grade teams of the Victoria Maori Girls* College. Tomorrow afternoon will see the end of the annual knock-out tournament of the Auckland Basketball Association, and the end of its season, when cups for the year will be presented. Five in number, these are for the winners of each grade championship for the season. The following teams attained championship honours: —Seniors: Varsity Whites. Second grade: Victoria. Third grade: Rata. Fourth grade: Suburbs. Fifth grade: Edendale. Badges will also be presented to members of the winning sides in the knock-out tournament.