BASKETBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1940, Page 7

BASKETBALL

WAIRARAPA ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE. The annual report of the executive of the Wairarapa Basketball Association for the past year which is signed by Misses O. R. Sutherland (president) and R. K. Edwards )secretary) states:

The basketball season of 1939 opened with 16 teams, 6 A grade and 10 B grade playing under the auspices of lhe Wairarapa Basketball Association. Ail Saturday games were played on the Wairarapa College grounds. B grade matches were played at Dalefield. Greytown and on the Hospital grounds. The Wairarapa College grounds were available through the courtesy of the headmaster. Mr G. G. Hancox.

In lhe A grade a high standard was reached while the B grade reached a definite standard of progress as the season advanced. The season was most successful in every way. A representative team travelled to Invercargill to the N.Z. tournament held in August, 1939. and justified their inclusion in the B section by their play. This N.Z. tournament was one of the most successful ever held, the weather being excellent and the hospitality shown by lhe Southland people worthy of special mention. Thanks are due to Miss Rosamund Drummond who acted as coach and gave her services untiringly in the interest of the game and also to Miss D. O'Donnell, the manager, and Misses R. K. Edwards and L. Renner, captain and vice-cap-tain respectively. A and B grade representatives travelled to Hutt Valley on July 29 and although narrowly defeated acquitted themselves very well. Miss M. Dwyer kindly acted as manager. The A representative team which took part in the N.Z. Centennial tournament held at Easter in Wellington gave a good standard of play, and so close were the results that this young team in another year should carry off the cun with the experience now gained.

The following girls have represented the province:—A. Burgess 1939-40, M. Gadsby 1939 (Stars), B. Stitt 193940, M. Eastwood 1939-40, P. Hanley 1939-40 (Iona). L. Renner vice-cap-tain. 1939-40 (H.5.0.G.); J. Gemmell 1939-40 (Collegians), P. Baskiville 1939, M. McLaren 1939-40, M. Carrol] 1939-40; R. Edwards, captain 1939-40 (College), M. Brady 1939 (Collegians), R. Percy 1939 (Iona). Special thanks are due to Miss O'Donnell who acted as coach for the 1940 team. During the year Miss M. Armstrong, president of the N.Z. Referees’ Association, visited Masterton and gave a lecture and demonstration on the new rules. Primary school teachers availed themselves of the opportunity to be present. Miss Armstrong is an N.Z. referee who also visited Australia and refereed international matches in 1938, Miss Rona Edwards was the first referee of this association to gain the N. badge last year. Basketball displays were given in Physical Fitness Week in Queen Street and also during Recreation Week. It is pleasing to note that country teams are availing themselves of the opportunity of being affiliated to the association. Another pleasing factor is that teams from Dalefield, Greytown and two nurses teams, one from Greytown Hospital and the other from Masterton, entered in the Saturday competitions and all did exceedingly good work. The following were the results of the year’s play: Opening tournament: A grade, Iona; B grade lona. Competition rounds: A grade.' Stars' B grade, lona.

Two general meetings were held. During the year detailed reports of the matches were published by Miss O. R. Sutherland, who was in charge of this branch. To her we extend our thanks. We also thank the Press for its courtesy in publishing results and reports throughout the year; the public for the interest shown in the games, and the Principal of Wairarapa College. We thank also all who gave their time to refereeing matches during the past season, thereby greatly assisting in the continuation of basketball in the Wairarapa.