BASKETBALL REPS AND N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 186, 19 August 1955, Page 5

BASKETBALL REPS AND N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS

Entry Disallowed But Games Arranged For Trip An unfortunate state of affairs, B for which the Taupo Basketball AsB sociation is in no way responsible, i has arisen in connection with the I entry of the Association's represenK tative team in the N.Z. " C " Grade B Championships to be played at B Christchurch next week. Advice has been received from the R N.Z. Basketball Association heaclquarters, through the Rotorua Asso1 . ciation, to which Taupo is affiliated that the Taupo team's entry cannot | be accepted. In a statement last weekend to the Taupo Times, on behalf of the Taupo Association, Mrs Bates, president, Mrs J. W. Birnie," 1; vice-president, and Miss K. O. Bewis, patron said that the Association were deeply grateful for the generous public response, by way of donations of cash and goods, that had been made to the appeal for help in raising funds to finance the South Island trip.

Reps rPo Play In South Despite disappointment at being unable to play in the championships, the representative team would make the trip, and games had already |> been arranged with several Soutn Island Associations. It was expected that there would be two games at Timaru on August 24, in the evening. two at Waimate on August 25, and two at Ashburton on August 27. It was also hoped to obtain a game at Christchurch. The team would also be able to see the N. Z. " A " Grade championship at Christchurch, and this experience, with that gained in the games mentioned, would be most valuable. The Association, on learning that their entry for the " C " Grade Championship was not acceptable, had advised a number of citizens who had assisted in the raising of funds, and the reaction had been in favour of the girls rnaking the trip. Typical had been the reply of Mr Arthur Grace, Chairman of the Tuwharetog Trust Board, on being advised of the position and being asked whether the Board would wish to have its donation refunded. Mr Grace had said that as it had been possible to arrange games down South the Board's donation would stand. This general response to the Association's trouble had confirmed the executive in the view that to go ahead with the trip was the wise and proper course. Story Of Difficulty The story of the position that had arisen was as follows. Taupo was affiliated to the Rotorua Basketball Association, which up to last year was a " B " Grade Association. Last year Taupo were informed by Rotorua Association that they would not be eligible that year to enter for the C Grade Championships, as Rotorua, their parent association, could not enter a minor team whil eit (Rotorua) was a " B " Grade 9ssociation.

Taupo was further informed, however, that when Rotorua became an " A " Grade Association, the Taupo team would then be able to enter for the " C " Grade Championship, as a minor team of the Rotorua Association. Rotorua was this year an " A " Grade Association, and Taupo had accordingly sent their entry to the N.Z. Association. They had then been advised that the entry must be made through Rotorua, their parent ^Association. This had then been done, only to be followed by advice from N.Z. Headquarters that Rotorua • was not entitled to enter a minor team. as it had less than 100 affiliated teams. The Taupo Association were dis satisfied with the position, but it was unfortunate'ly cl.ear that t:hri team could not compete in the present championships. It was known to the Taupo Association that other Associations. though on;y " B " Grade had actually entered minor teams..

and this seemed inconsistent with with the advice received by Rotorua with regard to Taupo's entry. Mrs Bates, the Taupo president, would be representing Taupo at the Dominion Conference prior to the, Christchurch championships, and it was hoped to have the present unsatisfactory state of affairs cleared up and a clear statement obtained of the correct constitutional position.