Season celebrated

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 21, 20 October 1987, Page 20

Season celebrated

Elite basketball players from Ohakune and Taumarunui gathered at Mahoe Restaurant recently to celebrate the end of a very successful season. Coach-manager Thomasina Taituma (Tommy) explained that Elite was started in 1985 when the team consisted. of five Taitumas plus Peter Vi and Paul Rice. The team was nicknamed the Elite Tee's. Soon, in Ohakune, the five Taitumas we joined by Cheryl and Tania Hinana and Shane Edwards to form a team. Tommy's home in National Park means she has the opportunity to travel in both directions to coach tearns. In 1987 the membership of Elite increased from 31, two men's teams, one women's team and one intermediate. It was then decided thal the Tee's be dropped fron the name, and that the

teams be simply known as 'Elite'. This year Elite travelled to Napier, New Plymouth and Waiouru to play in tournaments, where they performed with distinction. Next year's new venues will include Papakura and Hamilton. The fundraising for all travel is done solely by raffles. At the prizegiving the greatest honour of the Roy Taituma Memorial Trophy went to the Elite Ohakune Men's Team, in recognition of an excellent standard of play, promptness and good sportsmanship.