History Project
Est. 1938 • Rivoli Hall to Haumaru
87 years of hoops in Tauranga — the teams, the titles, the characters and the courts, told by the people who were there.
Explore the rich legacy of basketball in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty. These pages preserve and celebrate the history of our game — from the first bounce of a ball at the Rivoli Hall in 1938, through early community clubs and school competitions, to standout players, coaches and landmark events. Whether you’re a player, fan, researcher or community member, discover how basketball has shaped — and been shaped by — this vibrant region of New Zealand.
Unless noted otherwise, newspaper articles are from the Bay of Plenty Times via “Papers Past”.
The Association
Grand Opening Night — Rivoli Hall, Wednesday 25 May 1938, 7.30pm.
Formed as a sub-association. The Mt Maunganui Indoor Basketball Association also started as a sub-association, becoming an independent association in June 1983.
A new constitution brought the women’s and men’s games together, 1961–2002.
A new constitution, 2002–2010.
The association as it is known today.
All articles are from Bay of Plenty Times in “Papers Past” unless mentioned otherwise.
A movement is afoot to establish an American Basketball Association in Tauranga and with that object in view a meeting of those interested will be held in the Ambulance Hall on Friday evening at 8pm. The promoters hope for a large attendance.
The game is played indoors and if the Club is established one of the local halls will be engaged. The American code is for men only.
The organiser of the game in New Zealand, Mr R A Lambert, will attend the meeting and explain details associated with establishment.
Proposed American Basketball Association in Tauranga.
Advertisement: American Basketball
Grand Opening Night, Rivoli Hall, Wednesday 25th May 1938, 7.30pm.
See the local boys in action in Tauranga A versus Tauranga B. And then the experts in play in two exhibition games: Waikato Americans v Bay Americans and Thames A v Thames B
Admission 1/-
NOTE: Rivoli Army Drill Hall, Dive Crescent. Two courts, small and not that wide, poles down between the courts.
Games at the Rivoli. American Basketball played before the general public. Thames teams and Mormon Church elders from the Waikato, Hauraki District and a Waikato team.
Dunlops: Cros Randle, Rowsell, Tom Elder, Silvester, Guy Silvester, Substitute: Dunlop
Jury’s: Playfair, Thomas, Playfair, Adamson, Bell
Kiwis: Lodge, Kirk, Walker, Garaway, Davies, Substitutes: Richards, Norris
Wanderers: Hugh Neno, N McNaughton, R Martin, W Parlane, A C Willis, Substitute, L Wright
Star: Curtis, Carnachan, Goodwin, L Bougen, W Wratten, Substitute: Amos E Hammond
Maoris: Elders: Langdon, Fitgerald, Lambert, J Kohu
United:
Judea:
Opening Night: Tauranga American Basketball Assn. General Practice and enrolment Wed 17th May 7.30. Signed A C Willis Secretary.
Wednesday evening – concluding games at Rivoli Hall on Dive Crescent
Thursday evening – Knockout comp played to close the season. The Association has in its possession a locally made trophy of rather doubtful origin and this will be presented to the winning team.
Close of 1939 season play and results. The President Mr Crosbie R Randle presented the winners and declared the 1939 season closed.
Cadets – first winners of the anonymously donated Centennial Cup.
Wanderers won the K.O. Cup presented by Mr D J McEwen.
1939 Teams and players.
Cadets: Guy Guinness, D Hill, Jack Scandle
Nomads: Cros Randle, Garvey, Haycock, Cooper
Wanderers: Hugh Neno, Adamson, Parlane, Lodge, Willis
Pirates: Browne, Grinder, Douglas
Jury’s: Greer, Arthur Wood, Bougen, R Sutherland
Dunlop’s: L Silvester, Tom Elder
AGM of Tauranga American Basketball Association held in the supper room of the Town Hall last evening presided over by President, Mr Crosbie Randle. He read his Annual Report. He made a point of mentioning those who left to go to war.
This was the second AGM.
Election of officers: Patron: Mr L R Wilkinson (re-elected)
President: Mr Cros Randle (re-elected)
Vice Presidents: L Jury, W Harrison F Cobb, A B Cambie, W Abraham, S Guinness, L McNamara, R Polley, H J Long, Jenner and E Hammond.
Secretary-Treasurer: Mr A C Willis (re-elected)
Trustees: President and Secretary.
Discussion on opening night. Working bee to prepare the hall. Before play can start Army Trucks had to be backed outside on playing nights.
Subscriptions: 5 shillings.
J Greer departure to Air Force Training.
Jack Scandle leaving for camp with members of the Fourth Reinforcements. Jack was a foundation member of the Association and one of the leading lights of the Cadets “B”team.
Mr Cros Randle made a small presentation to Jack as a token of esteem and with the good wishes for his future from his fellow basketball players.
Note: Jack died in the war – mention made in future BOP Times 28.7.1941.
Trophy and Knock-out Trophy – season wind up. Trophies presented by Mr Cros Randle, President of the Association. He anticipated that next season there would be a shortage of men. He also expressed the hope on behalf of the Association that those members who had enlisted in the various military services would have a speedy and safe return to their homes and friends.
1940 Centennial Cup won by Cadets men’s team
K O Cup: won by Wanderers.
Star Ladies team won the Abraham Trophy donated by Mr W H Abraham.
Women played 6 a side games under American Rules.
The standard of play in 1940 was quite high.
Centennial Cup: Donated anonymously.
K O Cup: Presented and suitably decorated by Mr Cooper
Cadets A: Thwaites, McMaster, B Sutherland, R Sutherland, D Hill, C Guinness
Cadets B: Jack Scandle, A Bougen
Jury’s: E Silvester, A Wood, R Harris.
Wanderers: C Harris, Willis, Davies.
P & T: Hodgetts, Belcher, Thwaites, Winter, Pennell
Nomads: Cros Randle, Parlane, C Harris, Fuller, A Willis, Livingstone, F Bougen, F Gilmore.
United: D Sutton, S K Phelps, J Thompson,
Star: G Neno, R Heke, B Canty, G Ferguson, J Ingram, M McLeod
Dewars: N Howie, M Kenyon, R Robins, E Wakeford, B Judd.
Article Bay of Plenty Times 28.7.1941. Death of Pte. John Scandle on active service. He was a foundation member of the Indoor Basketball Club.
During the war years indoor basketball was not reported on.
No reports of Indoor Basketball in Tauranga
No reports of Indoor Basketball in Tauranga
Local association American basketball formed in Whakatane. Under the coaching of Mr Chas Jones, Physical Culture Officer attached to Internal Affairs Department a group of local enthusiasts have taken up Indoor Basketball in Whakatane. The local committee set up is: A G Fisher (chairman), S K Pyne, J Whitehead, L Rosenfeldt and C Ranby. The public is admitted to all practices on remittance of a silver coin.
NOTE: It was pointed out that America already has 10,000,000 players of this popular game
Whakatane Indoor Basketball Association to sponsor First BOP Championship in Whakatane on 16.9.1944 at the Winter Show Buildings. Entries are solicited from:
RNZAF Rotorua, ATC Rotorua, Tauranga Gymnasium, ATC Whakatane and two teams from the Whakatane Club.
As sufficient interest is shown by local girls a Women’s Championship will be included. Both Rotorua and Tauranga are prepared to send teams.
Men’s and women’s rules!!
Men’s rules – each team has five players.
Women’s rules – each team has six players. 3 in defence and 3 in attack. Only allowed one bounce before passing the ball.
Results of first BOP Championships in Whakatane. Tauranga men played in the final against Whakatane No 1 in a match of four quarters of 10 minutes each. Win to Whakatane 57 – 25.
Women’s final: Whakatane beat Ngongotaha 34 – 20.
American basketball tournament in Tauranga – teams entered Tauranga, Whakatane, Te Puke, Rotorua, Hamilton, Auckland, Matamata. Whakatane A which carried off the BOP Championships at Whakatane and Tauranga A team entered. Local competition due to the war has been two men’s and two women’s teams.
14.10.1944. American indoor basketball tournament to be staged by Tauranga in the Rivoli, Saturday, starting at 6.30pm. Entered Bay of Plenty teams, Auckland, Whakatane A.
Note: 1944 still American Indoor Basketball.
Bay of Plenty Association formed. 1st BOP Champs Whakatane 16.9.1944. Did Tauranga Gymnasium play under the auspices of American Indoor Basketball.
First year for Te Puke indoor basketball.
Tauranga Gym – indoor basketball commencing February 27, Rivoli Hall, Dive Crescent.
Conference in Wellington for the discussion of national rules for women’s indoor basketball.
It resulted in the adoption of a national set of rules. The delegates expressed their belief that the game could now move ahead and become one of the important sports for women throughout the Dominion.
Meeting Rivoli 10.4.1945, a proposal to form an indoor basketball association comprising both men and girls. A full attendance is desired to put the association on a sound footing.
American Basketball 1945 season. This evening at the Rivoli Hall, the first game competitive game of American basketball for the 1945 season will be played when teams from Tauranga will try conclusions with Te Puke. Rep teams: 2 women, 3 men.
A Tauranga win in all departments was recorded by the indoor basketball teams in their games with visiting club, Te Puke, last evening.
Recently five Te Puke teams visited Tauranga, 3 men and 2 women.
Tauranga
Men’s A: L Silvester, Guy Guinness, G Fisher, J Dick, J Ellis. Tauranga A 11 v Te Puke A 2.
Tauranga Women A: J Ingram, M Morrissey, E Richardson, E Berry, M Winter, I Emmett. Tauranga Women 8 v Te Puke 6.
Tauranga Men’s B: N Guinness, N Smith, C (Jock) Carson, Matt Gilpin, D Stevens. Tauranga B 19 v Pukehina 8.
Tauranga Women B: J McKenzie, Peg Guinness, M Schumacher, J Francis, Pat Johnson, D Collingwood. Tauranga B 23 v Te Puke B 2.
Tauranga Men’s C: P Olson, J Nichols, A Cliffe, A Robinson, Bill Polley. Tauranga 31 v Paengaroa 8.
To conclude the evening, supper was served at the Patriotic Hut where Mr Guy Guinness thanked the Te Puke teams for travelling to Tauranga.
Inaugural Annual Open Tournament at Rotorua Indoor Basketball Assn. Two Women’s and one Men’s teams were entered from Tauranga
Womens A Team: M Winter, M Morrissey, J Francis, A McKenzie, M Schumacher, J Emmett and C Hicks.
Womens B Team: G Lindsay, J McKenzie, E Richardson, E Berry, J Ingram, D Collingwood and
N Sutherland.
Mens Team: E Silvester, Matt Gilpin, P Olsen, Noel Guinness, Guy Guinness and R Grigg
Inaugural Annual Open Tournament at Rotorua – Tauranga Ladies A won through to semi-final. Men defeated in first round.
Men’s Teams: Tauranga, Rotorua A, Air Force A, Air Force B, Te Puke, United
Women’s: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Auckland A, Auckland B, Auckland C, Ngongotaha, Rotorua B, Whaka, Te Puke, St Michael’s,
Te Puke Tournament: Two men, two women’s teams from Tauranga played Thursday evening.
Men’s teams entered: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Pukehina, Te Puke A, Te Puke B.
Women’s teams entered: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Te Puke A, Te Puke B, Rotorua.
Tauranga Men: Noel Guinness, Guy Guinness, P Olsen, Cros Randle, L Silvester
Tauranga Men’s A: Winners. Rotorua ladies winners.
A very enjoyable evening concluded with a dance.
North Island Tournament in Hamilton 6.10.1945. 22 teams from various districts in the North Island will be competing.
Mr F M Rendell, president of the Hamilton Association has been made a Vice-President of the newly formed NZ Women’s Indoor Basketball Association, representing the North Island.
North Island Tournament in Drill Hall, Hamilton.
Men’s Teams: Hamilton A, Hamilton, B, Hamilton C, BOP team, Wanganui, Auckland, Morrinsville, Wellington Wolves, Wellington Gymnasium, Eltham, Palmerston North, Ohakea.
Women’s Teams: Hamilton A, Hamilton B, Tauranga, Auckland, Wellington, Ohakea, Eltham, Morrinsville, Matamata.
North Island Tournament, Waikato
Tauranga Women: J Emmett, M Winter, M Schumaker, M Morrissey, E Richardson, E Berry, G Lindsay. Lost to Wellington 51-2. Auckland 16-10 and Ohakea 17-12.
Men: BOP team – two Tauranga players included – L Silvester and P Olsen. BOP lost to Morrinsville 15-2. Beat Eltham 10-4 and lost to Wellington 16-4.
Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association holding a tournament on Oct 27 in the Rivoli.
Indoor Basketball Tournament Sat Oct 27th 1945
An active committee is leaving no stone unturned to make the Tauranga Indoor Basketball tournament at the Rivoli on Saturday October 27 a success and indications point to this being the case. Good entries have been received from other centres and a full non-stop programme has been arranged starting at 2pm.
Women’s Sport. Minister of Internal Affairs – Mr Parry, Patron of the newly-formed New Zealand Association to control sport, expressed satisfaction with the progress being made by indoor basketball as a sport for women.
Teams entered in Tauranga Tournament 27.10.1945 at Rivoli.
Men: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Rotorua, Te Puke A, Hamilton A, Hamilton B, Morrinsville, Ngongotaha, Paeroa and Papatoetoe.
Women: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Te Puke, Hamilton A, Hamilton B, Morrinsville, Ngongotaha, Papatoetoe.
Tauranga first large indoor basketball tournament Sat Oct 27th 1945. Two courts, 2pm start.
Tauranga Women A: M Winter (Captain), E Berry, M Schumacher, J Emmett, E Richardson and M Morrissey.
Tauranga Women B: J Ingram (Captain), J Francis, E McKenzie, M Morrissey, M Peek, E Galbally.
Results: Women: Hamilton A won.
Tauranga Men A: L Silvester (Captain), Guy Guinness, Noel Guinness, P Olsen, Matt Gilpin.
Tauranga Men B: R Grigg (Captain), W Parlane, J Dick, L Fergusson, C Jock Carson.
Results: Men: Tauranga played Hamilton B in final and won 10-6.
NOTE: Representative teams only mentioned. No club teams/players mentioned 1945
1946 articles written by ‘Free Throw’ in Bay of Plenty Times
Need for playing areas – indoor and outdoor. Indoor sports only have Rivoli Drill Hall. Suggest time to establish a sports centre at Jordan Park.
Written by “Club Captain”. In reply to Article of 5.4.1946. “The only hall capable of being used for sports organisations is the Rivoli and this is controlled by the Defence Department. The officer in charge, Sergeant-Major W Norris has done everything in his power to help the sporting organisations that use the building, but it is well known that the department has a very rigid code of rules that must be strictly adhered to. If the proposed Jordan Park playing area was proceeded with at an early date it would considerably help the indoor sporting organisations as it is understood that one of the features of this scheme was to be a grandstand with good gymnasium and playing room space underneath. The indoor sports organisations look to the authorities for help to cope with the demands that are being made on them to provide recreation for the public” – I am, etc, “Club Captain”.
Prospects for future are bright. Opening of Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association season. It will be remembered that before the war, a number of enthusiasts met at the Rivoli Hall during the week, such teams as Cadets, Nomads, Wanderers and other being formed. The Association suffered a setback when many of the young men answered the country’s call to serve in the Dominion’s fighting services. During the critical period of the war, the association was in recess but was reformed 1945.
It is explained that only six players are required for a women’s team and five for a men’s team. Annual Meeting of the Association will be held in the Patriotic Hut on Tuesday evening at 7.30.
AGM election of officers for Tauranga Indoor Basketball Assn.
Patron, Mr H Long;
President Mr Cros R Randle;
Secretary L Stevens;
Treasurer, Miss J Emmett;
Auditor, Mr D Livingstone.
Committee, Mrs J Ingram, Miss J McKenzie and Messrs G Guinness, L Silvester.
Subscriptions set. A levy of threepence on each player each evening
Mr S L Simons donated a cup for competition every year. The Association now has three trophies.
Observations by the President. “I venture to predict that indoor basketball will become increasingly popular in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty during the coming season, the only drawback to its advancement being lack of suitable hall to hire,” declared Mr Cros R Randle in the fourth annual report of the Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association presented at the annual meeting on Tuesday evening.
Mr Randle stated that five years had elapsed since the last annual meeting was held. During that time many members were overseas taking an active part in the struggle for freedom and peace and eight of them making the supreme sacrifice. Last year, however, thanks to the energetic efforts of some younger members and the fact that many servicemen had returned to New Zealand basketball started again in a small way.
There were no local competitions last season, but in 1940 the Centennial Cup was won by Cadet team (men) and Star Ladies team carried off the Abraham trophy.
Some indication of the standard of future displays that can be expected at the Rivoli on Tuesday evenings, the night on which men’s and girl’s teams participate in indoor basketball games. Two courts at the Rivoli, courts narrow and not full length. Women’s games 25 mins time slot. Men’s games 35 mins.
Men: Ellis Motors, Wanderers, Hydro Hurricanes, Old Boys, Cadets, Easy Aces, Rovers, True Blues
Women: Atomic, Wizards, Rascals, Rainster, College.
American Basketball. This evening, indoor basketball teams from Mount Maunganui will visit Tauranga for games which will be played at the Rivoli, starting at 7 o’clock. All members of the Tauranga Association who wish to participate are asked to be at the Rivoli.
Games with Te Puke – two men’s and one women’s indoor basketball teams travelled to Te Puke. McDowell Hall floor used for dancing, very slippery.
Tauranga Men: A Wood, W Parlane, L Silvester, R Sutherland and N Guinness.
Tauranga Men: Guy Guinness, C Murdoch, Hoy, P Wickham, P Reid, Ray Simister.
Tauranga Women: P Guinness
Mr Randle invited Te Puke to Tauranga on Tuesday July 16th to play against club teams. As Cadet and Rovers will play off for the Centennial Cup.
Visiting teams Te Puke Men and Women, Paengaroa and Pukehina.
Also BOP rep team announced for Auckland tournament at Town Hall. Noel Guinness and L Silvester from Tauranga included.
Simons Cup Final. The women’s games were all played at a fast pace and were the last of the matches for the Simons Cup, which has been won by Atomic, an unbeaten team.
Advantage was taken of the visit of some of the players who are in Tauranga for the Dominion basketball tournament to match them against local players.
Wizards women played a match against a team made up of South Island players. A team from Southland gave a Tauranga representative team a very hard game, it being one of the best matches seen in Tauranga winning 29 – 28.
The Tauranga representative played another game against a team made up from North Island players and Tauranga won by 14 – 6. These encounters gave the representatives a very good work-out and will provide a big boost in their training for games in the Tauranga tournament on September 14.
Annual Tournament in Tauranga Sat 14.9.1946.
Men A: Noel Guinness, Guyon Guinness, R Sutherland, E Silvester, P Olsen, W Parlane, T Elder.
Men B: J Smyth, R Simister, E Hoy, A Dagley, A Wood, R Turner, Roy Grigg.
Tauranga’s second annual indoor basketball tournament. 12 men’s and 8 women’s teams.
Men’s entries: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Rotorua, Morrinsville A, Morrinsville B, Hamilton A,
Hamilton B, Whakatane A, Whakatane B, Gisborne, Te Puke A, Te Puke B.
Women’s entries: Tauranga A, Whakatane A, Whakatane B, Hamilton A, Hamilton B, Morrinsville, Gisborne, Te Puke A.
Tauranga Men: A team: N Guinness, G Guinness, R Sutherland, P Olsen, T Elder, E Silvester, W Parlane.
Tauranga Men: B team: J Smyth, Ray Simister, E Hoy, A Dagley, A Wood, Roy Grigg, R Turner.
Tauranga Women: J Emmett, A Finlay, M Schumacher, E Berry, J Richardson, M Winter, P Guinness, M A Morrison
Tauranga indoor basketball 2nd annual tournament. Played at the Rivoli. Tauranga men played Hamilton in the final and lost 19-40. Hamilton women won also. Cups for the winners were presented by Tauranga Tile Company.
A meeting of delegates from associations in the BOP formed a Bay of Plenty Association. Mr Cros R Randle was appointed president, Mr W Norris, Secretary.
North Island Tournament Fixture held at Hamilton
Men: Tauranga, Wanganui, Hamilton, Napier, Auckland, Y Boys Wellington. Wanganui beat Tauranga men 10 – 4. Hamilton beat Tauranga 22-5. Tauranga beat Napier 11 – 8.
Women: Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington, Dargaville, Gisborne, New Plymouth. Dargaville beat Tauranga 11 – 6. Gisborne beat Tauranga 7 – 6 and Tauranga beat New Plymouth 17-13.
Finals night. St John Ambulance Benefit Night, supper and prizegiving.
Men: True Blue – 1st holder of the Memorial Shield.
Women: Wizards women won with Atomic and Rascals only one point behind.
Tauranga reps played in North Island Champs at Hamilton. Winners: Wellington women and Auckland men.
Prizegiving.
Rovers won the Centennial Shield and the Peter Kirk Memorial Cup, donated by Mr E W Aked. The cup was presented in memory of the late Peter Kirk, a former member of the association, driver of a jeep in the 24th Battalion overseas, of which Lieutenant-Colonel Mr Aked was then in command.
Wizards women won the Championship and the Knockout Cups.
Atomic women won the S L Simons Cup
True Blues men won the Memorial Shield, presented by returned members of the association in memory of members who lost their lives overseas. This beautiful trophy contains the photographs of those members who sacrificed their lives in the cause of freedom. D Hill, captain of the True Blues team, a foundation member of the association, spoke of the memories this shield recalled.
Bay of Plenty champs played in Whakatane at the Winter Show Buildings on Saturday. Teams from Tauranga, Whakatane, Te Puke and Rotorua.
Women’s final Tauranga A v Te Puke – Tauranga won 24 – 16.
Tauranga players: E Berry, J Emmett, M Schumacher, A Finley, M Winter, P Guinness, W Green.
Te Puke players: M Bayliss, P McCarthy, Singleton, Raymond, E Hicks, F McDowell.
Men’s final Tauranga A v Whakatane A. Tauranga won 30 – 26.
Tauranga players: N Guinness, R Sutherland, G Guinness, P Olsen, W Parlane, E Silvester, R Turner.
Whakatane players: Luxton, Fisher, Berg, Rivett, McGoughan.
Tauranga A men beat Whakatane A in the final.
Tauranga women beat Te Puke Women in the final. Tauranga men and women Bay of Plenty Champions.
1946 Club Teams and players
True Blues: D Hill, P Tresidder, Patten, Murdoch
Cadets: J Dick, A Wood, P Olsen, R Sutherland, J Smyth, F Willoughby
Ellis Motors: T Elder, G Fisher, Harland, R Hunter, J Duncan
Rovers: R Turner, Guy Guinness, J Lockyer, I Riddle, I Anquetil, A Robinson
Wanderers: W Parlane, L Simister, A Dagley
Hydro Hurricanes: Noel Guinness, N Smith, A Bongard, C Stewart, Herbert, R Oliver
Old Boys: Matt Gilpin, R Grigg, Richardson, Eastman
Easy Aces: L Silvester, R Johnson, George Polley, Rex Woods
Atomic: P Guinness, M A Morrissey
Rainsters: M Hicks
College: V Green
Wizards: M Winter
Rascals: J Emmett, P Harvey, E Richardson
Note: Atomic Women first mentioned in 10.5.1946. A write up of the Women’s Atomic club from 1946 till 2000’s will feature later. The longest serving club team in Tauranga’s history.
Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association AGM at the Rowing Club 7.30 Thursday 10.4.1947. President Cros Randle’s review and report of 1946 Season. Over 80 people played. Club games were played every Tuesday for six months. There were 13 teams – 8 men and 5 ladies.
AGM 1947 Election of Officers: Patron Mr H Long.
President Mr Crosbie R Randle.
Secretary Mr E Hoy.
Treasurer Mr M Patton.
Management Committee Misses M Schumacher, N Morrissey and Mrs J Ingram. Messrs L Silvester, G Guinness and W Parlane.
Team nominations were received as follows: Men: True Blues, Cadets, Old Boys, Ellis Motors, Easy Aces, Hydro Hurricanes, Wanderers, Rovers.
Women: Rainster, Atomic and Wizards. Further nominations will be accepted.
Opening night, Tuesday 6th May 1947 – pleasing to see old players back - Hugh Neno, A Bougen and Matt Gilpin.
Weekly indoor basketball competitions at Tauranga last evening resulted as follows:
Men: Hydro Hurricanes 55 beat Wanderers 12; True Blues 21 beat Old Boys 20; Cadets 28 beat Ellis Motors 9; Panthers 29 beat Rovers 13; Easy Aces 9 beat Toilers 4.
Women: Wizards 22 beat Nightingales 21; Atomic 38 beat Kiwis 11; Rainster 5 beat Rascals 4
Men: 10 teams. Hydro Hurricanes, Wanderers, True Blues, Old Boys, Cadets, Ellis Motors, Panthers, Rovers, Easy Aces, Toilers
Women: 6 teams. Wizards, Nightingales, Atomic, Kiwis, Rainster, Rascals.
“Attack the best defence” by “Free Throw”. Note women players “can only take one step with the ball and are only allowed to bounce it once”. “The only time a ball can be knocked out of a woman player’s hand is when she is shooting at the net, only then should an opposing player advance to within three feet”.
Tauranga Indoor Basketball Tournament tomorrow.
Matches with Whakatane at Rivoli, Tauranga. Two men and two women’s teams.
Men: A Team. N Guinness, G. Guinness, R Sutherland, L Silvester, P Olsen, M Gilpin, W Parlane, C Murdoch.
Men: B Team. J Smyth, E Hoy, W Sneddon, M Palmer, W Reid, H Neno, G Polley, A Bougen.
Women: A Team. J Barker, J Emmett, Maureen Morrissey, E Berry, I Stewart, A Finlay, I O’Brien, I MacNee and Mrs P Guinness.
Women: B Team. N Morrissey, Mona Morrissey, M Ruddle, R Julian, P Harvey, H Christie, V O’Brien, B Parkinson and Mrs G Howie.
Tauranga v Whakatane results. Tauranga won each of the four games played.
Tauranga Women players mentioned were Moana Morrissey, R Julian, G Howie, P Harvey, Mrs P Guinness, Joan Barker, E Berry, I Stuart.
Tauranga Men’s players mentioned were R Sutherland, Noel Guinness, Guy Guinness,
L Silvester, C Murdoch, Matt Gilpin, P Olsen, W Parlane, W Reid, Hugh Neno.
Matches followed by a dance at the Rowing Club Hall.
Teams travelled to Whakatane and Paeroa on the weekend for two tournaments.
Men’s and Women’s A teams to Whakatane. Three men’s and three women’s teams visited Paeroa.
Tauranga Third Indoor Basketball Annual Tournament Saturday 6.9.1947 at Rivoli Hall.
Teams Entered: Tauranga, Auckland, Napier, Hamilton, Morrinsville, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Whakatane, Gisborne.
Men’s team: Noel Guinness, Guy Guinness, Ray Sutherland, L Silvester, Bill Parlane, Matt Gilpin, P Olsen
Women’s team: Mrs P Guinness, Mrs V McNee, J Emmett, M Morrissey, G Bowie, I O’Brien,
A Finlay, P Barker.
3rd Annual Tournament in Tauranga. Teams from Tauranga, Auckland, Hamilton, Paeroa, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Gisborne and Napier.
Women’s final Hamilton A defeated Gisborne A to win the women’s championship and the Marriot Cup. Men’s final YMCYM of Auckland won the men’s championship and the Tile Co. Cup when they beat Morrinsville A. Both cups were donated by the Tauranga Tile Company.
The Tauranga men’s and women’s teams won their sections but were eliminated in the semis.
Mr L R Wilkinson, Mayor of Tauranga spoke and welcomed sportsmen from other districts. The President of the Tauranga Association Mr Cros R Randle thanked the team managers, players and the referees.
Mention of a fullsize court now needed.
Competition results – finals night draw. Atomic and Wizards will play in the final for the Knockout Cup.
Cadets and Hydro Hurricanes will play in the final for the Peter Kirk Memorial Cup.
27.9.1947 – Advert Finals Night Tues 30.7.1947 Presentation of Trophies. Admission 6d or larger sum. Proceeds to St John Ambulance Division.
Season to close this week. Proceeds of evening to St John Ambulance Association Divisions in Tauranga.
Finals.
Women: Atomic unbeaten. Atomic have played together for two seasons and beat Wizards.
Men: Cadets beat Easy Aces.
Tournament in Hamilton Saturday 11th October.
Women’s A: M McNee, J Barker, I O’Brien, A Finlay, R Julian, G Howie
Women’s B: A Prole, M Morrissey, V O’Brien, E Berry, I Stewart, O Houston, B Parkinson
Men’s A: L Silvester, Noel Guinness, P Olsen, R Williams, R Sutherland.
Men’s B: Matt Gilpin, M Ellis, R Opie, W Sneddon, J Dick, Mick Palmer, George Polley.
Auckland Provincial Tournament in the Bledisloe Hall.
Two men’s and two women’s team competed.
Paeroa B Grade Tournament 18.10.1947.
Men: Matt Gilpin, Mick Palmer, George Polley, W Sneddon, J Dick, A Long, G Hardy.
Women: M McNee, E Stewart, D Stewart, J Barker, T German, S Edmondson, D Smith and
I O’Brien.
Referees: Mrs J Ingram. Messrs L Silvester and W Parlane.
True Blues: C Murdoch,
Cadets: R Sutherland, P Olsen, J Dick, R Opie, A Wood, J Smyth
Old Boys: Matt Gilpin, R Grigg
Ellis Motors: T Elder,
Easy Aces: L Silvester, E Silvester, George Polley, Bill Polley, Graham Hardy, Rex Woods,
Hydro Hurricanes: Noel Guinness, W Sneddon, N Smith, Mick Palmer
Wanderers: W Parlane, A Dagley
Rovers: Guy Guinness
Further players – teams unknown. H Neno, A Bougen, W Reid, E Hoy, Ray Simister, W Reid, Cros Randle, J Ingram, R Williams, Ellis, A Long, G Hardy
Atomic: M Morrissey, Peg Guinness, A Finlay
Nightingales
Rascals: J Emmett, P Harvey
Further players – teams unknown. G Bowie, I O’Brien, V McNee, M McNee, J Barker, Maureen Morrissey, E Berry, D Stewart,
E Stewart, A Finlay, I MacNee, N Morrissey, Mona Morrissey, M Ruddle, R Julian, T German,
S Edmondsen, D Smith, H Christie, V O’Brien, B Parkinson, G Howie, Joan Barker, A Prole,
O Houston.
AGM Thursday 8.4.1948 Rowing Club Hall, 8pm
Season begins in Tauranga District. 4 May start.
Practice games – 11 men’s teams
Review of weekly matches.
Refs mentioned R Grigg, S Sneddon, W Reid, Ray Simister, R Sutherland, L Silvester, Noel Guinness, R Towers, Cros Randle (President).
Men’s teams: True Blues, Wanderers, Old Boys, Greshams, Hydro Hurricanes, Toilers, Cadets, Easy Aces, Rovers, Cheetahs, Ellis Motors.
Women’s teams: Atomic, Rascals, Kiwis, Rainster.
Rascals v Kiwis women’s game ended abruptly when the casing of the basketball gave way under the stress of hard use and wear. The match will be completed next week!!
Review of players and teams performances by “Free Throw”
Rep trials for forthcoming tournament at Whakatane.
Women: S Jones, M Morrissey, N Morrissey, Dot Wagstaff, F Hunter, G Howie, A Finlay, L Hunt, L Julian, A Faulkner, E Aoake, L Morrissey, B Parkinson E Grigg, J Barker, I Bryan, L Jones, R Julian, I Stewart, K Leef.
Men: L Silvester, Noel Guinness, Guy Guinness, Mick Palmer, W Sneddon, A Long, Ray Simister, George Polley, W Parlane, Matt Gilpin, C Murdoch, G Douglas, A Bougen, R Sutherland, R Opie, J Dick, C Jock Carson, M Ellis and R Grigg.
Results – Cadets have won the Centennial Cup – they have not been beaten. Atomic and Rainster in final for the women’s cup S.L. Simons’ Cup.
Representative players for Whakatane Tournament on Saturday 17.7.1948.
Women’s A: H Jones (Capt) K Leaf, Mona Morrissey, E Grigg, A Faulkner, L Julian R Julian,
I Bryan.
Women’s B: B Parkinson (Capt), M Morrissey, Dot Wagstaff, I Stewart, G Howie, E Aoake, F Hunter, L Hunt, A Finlay
Men’s A: Forwards; Matt Gilpin, C Murdoch, J Dick and C Jock Carson; Defence; W Sneddon, Noel Guinness and R Sutherland.
Men’s B: Forwards; Ray Simister, R Grigg, Mick Palmer and G Douglas; Defence; Guy Guinness, A Bougen and M Ellis
Tauranga players at Whakatane. All teams performed well.
Women’s teams: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Whakatane A, Whakatane B
Men’s teams: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Gisborne A, Gisborne B, Whakatane A, Whakatane B.
Visit from Auckland Trades Union Indoor Basketball League men’s and women’s teams.
Visiting men’s and women’s teams: Railway, Clerical, Transport, Accountants, Engineers, Carpenters. Hosiery, Book-keepers, Dressmakers.
Tauranga Women: S Jones, E Grigg, L Julian, Maureen Morrissey, Mona Morrissey, A Faulkner, B Dashwood.
Tauranga Men: R Sutherland, Noel Guinness, W Sneddon L Silvester, Matt Gilpin, C Murdoch, C Jock Carson.
Women visit Whakatane. Tauranga A beat Whakatane A 31 - 19
Women: H Jones (Capt) R Julian, E Grigg, K Leaf, L Julian, Mona Morrissey, I Bryan, A Faulkner,
Women B: B Parkinson (Capt), G Howie, F Hunter, L Hunt, Dot Wagstaff, E Aoake, N Morrissey, B Parkinson.
Results of Trade Union Indoor Basketball teams from Auckland playing at Rivoli Hall. A large attendance of followers saw Tauranga win both representative matches.
Women: Tauranga 28, Auckland T U 21.
Men: Tauranga 21, Auckland T U 20.
Tauranga Indoor Basketball Fourth Annual Tournament entries closed. Tournament next month. Women’s 16 teams. 16 Men’s teams.
Entries from: Tauranga. Auckland, Hamilton, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Paeroa, Napier and Whakatane.
Rep teams to play Auckland Provincial Championship in Hamilton September 4th.
Women: A Team: R Julian, L Julian, Mona Morrissey, A Faulkner, B Parkinson, E Grigg, L Hunt, Dot Wagstaff.
Women: B Team: L Jones, E Carter, F Hunter, J Bryan, G Howie, Lorna Morrissey, E Aoake, Nancy Morrissey.
Men: A Team: Noel Guinness, W Sneddon, R Sutherland, Matt Gilpin, L Silvester, C Murdoch, George Polley.
Men: B Team: M Ellis, A Bougen, Mick Palmer, Ray Simister, R Grigg, C Jock Carson, J Dick.
Tournament at Hamilton postponed because of recent tornado. Unfortunate as Tauranga teams need the practice for the tournament here this month!!
Winners in Tauranga Competition:
Atomic - winners of the Championship Cup and have not lost a game.
Rainster won the Tower Shield for runners-up.
Final between these two teams for the S L Simons Cup to be played next week.
Easy Aces won the Memorial Shield after beating Cheetahs.
Next week the men will start the knock-out round for the Peter Kirk Memorial Cup.
Tauranga’s Fourth Annual Tournament.
Tauranga entries: 2 women, 3 men.
Women A: S Hylton-Jones, Capt. E Grigg, L Julian, Maureen Morrissey, Mona Morrissey, R Julian, Dot Wagstaff, A Faulkner.
Women B: B Parkinson, Capt. K Leaf, G Howie, L Hunt, L Bryan, E Aoake, Lorna Morrissey, E Carter.
Men A: Matt Gilpin, C Murdoch, R Sutherland, Noel Guinness, W Sneddon, George Polley, L Silvester.
Men B: J Dick, C Jock Carson, R Grigg, Mick Palmer, A Bougen, Ray Simister, M Ellis.
Men C: C Banks, G Guinness, A Dagley, M Parkinson, W Polley, G Murray, W Parlane.
Final Women’s Matches: Atomic 32 v Rainster 15 to win the S L Simons’ Cup.
Men’s Knockout Competition played its first round.
Fourth Annual Tournament in Tauranga. Marriot Cup and the Tile Company Cup played for.
Women’s Winners: Grey Lynn beat Paeroa. 35 – 10.
Men’s Winners: YMCA beat Hamilton A. 24 - 14
Mayor of Tauranga Mr L R Wilkinson welcomed the visiting teams.
Teams from: Tauranga, YMCA Auckland, Morrinsville, Hamilton A, Paeroa, (Association only been formed two years), Three Kings, Grey Lynn.
Further write up of Tournament in Tauranga.
Club play: Women: Atomic to play Kiwis in final.
Three games to be played at closing of season on Tuesday. 24.9.1948.
Plus a Fund Raiser for St John Ambulance Night. Gold coin entry – Gross takings to Men’s and Women’s Division of St John Ambulance Association in appreciation of their service to the community.
First Game: Men’s Team to play Greshams: First year players – Colts: E Ware, B Steele, D Oliver, C Hartley, J McShane, G Cooney and P Jaegar.
Second Game: Women’s team to play Atomic: J Parlane (Captain), E Grigg, L Julian, L Hunt, E Aoake, I Bryan, A Faulkner and Zena Alexander.
Final of Men: True Blues will play Easy Aces in men’s Knockout Competition. Easy Aces holders of the Memorial Shield.
Referees: Reg Towers, Ray Simister, C Murdoch, R Grigg, T Elder, W Reid.
Trophies to be presented after games.
Closing Night of Indoor Basketball.
True Blues 36 beat Easy Aces 35.
Atomic 55 v Rest 22
Last games of the Season. Men’s final for the Knock-out competition True Blues beat Easy Aces.
Presentation of end of year Trophies by R Polley, Patron. S Guinness, Reg Towers and Cros Randle.
Women: Atomic winners: S L Simons Cup. Championship Cup and Banks Cup for knockout both to Atomic.
Rainster: Towers Shield, Runners up
Men: Cadets winners Cecil Guinness Memorial Cup
Hydro Hurricanes: runners up: Centennial Cup
Easy Aces: Memorial Shield
True Blues: Peter Kirk Memorial Cup - for knockout winners
1948 Club Teams and players
Men: 10 teams, Toilers, Old Boys, Cadets, Greshams, Rovers, Wanderers, Hurricanes, True Blues, Easy Aces, Cheetahs.
Toilers: New Team. P O’Brien, G Douglas, A Long, C Hartley.
Old Boys: R Grigg, Capt. Matt Gilpin, Roberts, W Sneddon, M Stevens.
Cadets: J Dick, R Sutherland, J Smyth, C Jock Carson, R Opie, B Steele.
Greshams: New team. Seabourne, Madden, Gardiner, Taylor, Ward
Rovers: Guy Guinness, I Riddle, A Robinson, A Bougen, L Hampshire, G Cooney, P Jaeger
Wanderers: W Parlane, Ray Simister, R Williams, C Long, McIlwright, G Fisher.
Hydro Hurricanes: Noel Guinness Capt. N Smith, B McGill, E Ware, Bayley, T Oliver, Nichols
True Blues: C Murdoch Capt. M Patten, G Hardy, Mick Palmer, G Murray, P Morrissey
Easy Aces: L Silvester, E Silvester, George Polley, W Bill Polley, G Silvester, C Banks, S Bieleski.
Cheetahs: T Elder, G L Woods, M Ellis, J McShane, Oliver, Parkinson, A Dagley
Women: 4 teams, Atomic, Kiwis, Rascals, Rainster
Atomic: P Guinness, Maureen Morrissey, Betty Dashwood.
Kiwis: J Parker, J Howe.
Rascals: J Emmet, P Harvey, E Richardson, E Grigg, A Findlay
Rainster: L Julian, R Julian, I Murphy, K Leaf.
Women – Teams unknown: S Hilton-Jones, Mona Morrissey, Dot Wagstaff, F Hunter, G Howie, L Hunt, A Faulkner, E Aoake, Lorna Morrissey, B Parkinson, J Barker, J Bryan, L Jones, I Stewart, G Howie, Bev Morrissey, A Finlay, E Carter, Nancy Morrissey, Zena Alexander
Note: BOP Times 8.12.1948 article re hopes of building an indoor facility at Centennial Park? Is this the present Memorial Hall?
Election of Officers at the Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association AGM in the Rowing Club Hall resulted as follows:
Patron: Mr R F Polley
President: Mr Cros R Randle
Vice Presidents: Messrs Jim Gilpin, W Reid, L McNamara, C Crowther, J B Burgess, S Guinness, S L Simons, G Fletcher, R Dickison, H M Livingstone, L Steal, L Green, E Aked and W Harrison.
Hon Secretary-Treasurer: Mr M Patten
Hon Auditor: Mr Peter O’Brien
Management Committee: Men: Messes W Parlane, Reg Towers, C Murdoch and W Sneddon.
Women: Miss M Morrissey and Mrs W Parlane.
Chairman of Social Committee: Mr Guy Guinness
Selectors: Men: W Reid, W Hood and Guy Guinness.
Women: Mr Reg Towers, L Sylvester and Miss Maureen Morrissey.
Suitable Hall needed in Tauranga. It was discussed at the AGM. Mr Cros Randle, President, said the uncertain nature of the availability of the Rivoli drill hall on Dive Crescent if compulsory military training was introduced, was concerning, as there was no other hall in Tauranga for indoor sports. It was time to give serious consideration to the question of erecting a sports centre. The sports centre could take the form of a war memorial which would be a fitting gesture to those who gave their lives and an asset to the community.
Team nominations 10 men’s teams: 6 women’s teams. Added is two new women’s teams Kiwis and Judea.
Draw for first round games.
Men: Old Boys, Toilers, Easy Aces, Greshams, True Blues, Rovers, Cadets, The Mount, Cheetahs, Wanderers.
Women: Atomic, Rascals, Nomads, Rainster.
Season commenced. Results and players mentioned. Only four women’s teams. Kiwis and Judea indicated starting but did not end up putting teams in.
Weekly results: Atomic beat Rascals by large margin
Men: True Blues 26, Wanderers 24; Rovers 42, Cheetahs 21; Toilers 25, The Mount 21; Old Boys 19, Greshams 17; Easy Aces 21, Cadets 11.
Women: Rainster 16, Nomads 14; Atomic 71, Rascals 35
Teams for Sth Auckland Championships in Hamilton in June to be chosen. Following players to practise for selection.
Men: C Murdoch, J Dick, Jock Carson, Wally Hood, Matt Gilpin, George Polley, W Parlane, Ray Simister, P Leong, G Hardy, R Grigg, C Hartley, Mick Palmer, R Sutherland, W Snedden, A Bougen, L Silvester, Noel Guinness, P Jaegar, A Robinson.
Women: P Thorpe, L Hunt, Zena Alexander, E Griff, P Guinness, Mona Morrissey, A Smith, M Miller, N Edmondson, L Morrissey, V Parlane, B Dashwood, V Kepple, S Jones, Dot Wagstaff, V Paton, M Morrissey, B Eagleson, L Julian, P Green, Mrs Hammond.
Auckland Provincial Indoor Basketball Championships at Hamilton on Saturday.
A team, C Jock Carson, Wally Hood, C Murdoch, L Silvester, George Polley, Matt Gilpin, Mick Palmer, W Sneddon, Noel Guinness.
B Team: W Parlane, C Hartley, Ray Simister, J Dick, R Grigg, W Reid, Guy Guinness, G Fisher, J Moncrieff.
Women:
A Team, P Guinness, L Morrissey, M Morrissey, L Julian P Thorpe, Dot Wagstaff, V Kepple, A Smith. Injured B Dashwood.
B Team, J Parlane, G Howie, L Hunt, Zena Alexander, N Edmonson, M Miller, C Rochford, B Eagleson, V Paton, J Lane.
Auckland Provincial Tournament, Tauranga results. Note Reg Towers refereed a number of games at this tournament, including the final in the men’s B Grade competition.
Women’s A Grade won by T.U.I.D.L. from YWCA 24-22. Men’s grade won by LDS from YMCA.
Tauranga teams won only one of their three games. They did not have as much success as in the past.
Atomic winning first round. Captain P Guinness, Lorna, Mona and Maureen Morrissey. S Hilton-Jones and newcomers this season S Reid, C Rochford, B Eagelson.
Mentions Reg Towers coaching etc.
Coming BOP Champs to be held in Whakatane in August.
Results mention Mount Team being the hardest team to beat for the Memorial Shield. Old Boys players Matt and Stan Gilpin (beginner) doing well.
On Wednesday there was the first screening of descriptive sound films dealing with some of the essential points of the game.
Results – Men - Easy Aces and The Mount remain the only undefeated men’s teams.
Atomic women still enjoy an undefeated record this season.
New player Rex Woods playing for Old Boys. Rex later became President of Tauranga Indoor Basketball, coached rep teams and refereed.
Four Tauranga Indoor Basketball teams attended the annual Whakatane Tournament last weekend.
Teams: Men: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Gisborne, Whakatane A, Whakatane B, Wairoa.
Women: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Whakatane A, Whakatane B, Gisborne, Wairoa.
Both Tauranga Men’s A and Women’s A made the finals.
Representatives of the Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association (the President Mr Cros Randle and the secretary Mr M Patton) met with the Tauranga Basketball Association’s executive at its monthly meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the question of liaison between the two associations.
It was unanimously decided to advise all players that participation in both competitions would not preclude any player from being selected for representative match play in either association, etc.
Inter-club and Representative matches were played in Tauranga between Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association and representatives from the Onehunga Association.
Results: Tauranga men’s teams acquitted themselves well – in the 12 club matches they were successful in winning 11. George Polley, C Murdoch and Matt Gilpin scored well for Tauranga.
In the women’s games the visitors fared much better honours going to Onehunga by five matches to three.
Tauranga women: Maureen Morrissey, Mona Morrissey, A Smith contributed most points.
The Annual General Meeting of the Tauranga Combined Sports Association was held last week. Mentions all the sports within this association. A constitution drawn up was adopted.
Mr M Patten (Tauranga Indoor Basketball Assn) produced plans and specifications of a proposed Tauranga Sports Centre in the form of a memorial hall.
Election of officers resulted.
Finals of men’s and women’s knock-out competition were reached last night. Women’s section Atomic are to meet Rainster, while Cadets are to play Toilers in the men’s final
Finals to be played. Memorial Shield play-off between Cadets and The Mount.
Finals night:
Men: The Mount 24 beat Cadets 16 for the Memorial Shield. The game was a closely contested one and it wasn’t until the final quarter that the Mount gained the advantage.
Women: Atomic proved too strong for Rainster in the final of the women’s knock-out competition and ran out comfortable winners.
Teams for Tauranga’s Annual Tournament.
Men: C Murdoch, Matt Gilpin, George Polley, R Sutherland, Mick Palmer, Noel Guinness, Jock Carson.
Women: P Guinness, L Julian, Maureen Morrissey, Mona Morrissey, Zena Alexander, V Kepple, A Smith.
Tauranga Tournament held at the Tauranga Rivoli Army Drill Hall, Dive Crescent. 200 players competing.
Winners Men: Y Gym Auckland defeated Tauranga B 46 – 18 to win the Tauranga Tile Company Cup.
Winners Women: Hamilton A defeated Paeroa 45 -14 to win the Marriott Cup.
Last night prizegiving and season winners. The Patron Mr R Polley Snr presented the trophies.
Boys’ match: Trumps and Collegiates. Trumps won 18 – 17. College boys mentioned were:
Brown, Burnett, Baxter, Ware, Bryers.
Women’s Competition: Atomic won the S N Motors Cup for the Championship, Simons Cup for the second round and the Banks Cup for the knock-out competition.
Rascals won the Towers Shield for runners-up.
Men’s Competition: Mount Maunganui team won the Memorial Shield for the men’s championship.
Cadets won the Centennial Cup for runners-up.
Toilers won the knock-out competition, The Peter Kirk Memorial Cup and the Cecil Guinness Memorial Trophy.
Greshams were again the winners of the “K O Cup” which it was explained was for the team which had been knocked out the most.
Men: - 10 Teams
Greshams: D Flay, Capt, P Leong, R Gardiner, Hardy, O Seabourne, W Leary
Easy Aces: L Silvester Capt, S Bieleski, C Banks, George Polley and W Bill Polley, E Staite,
S Staite
Wanderers: W Parlane, Capt, Fisher, R Williams, Ray Simister, C Long, W McIlwraith.
Old Boys: Matt Gilpin, M Stevens, R Grigg, W Sneddon, Reg Towers, Stan Gilpin (beginner)
Rex Woods (beginner).
Toilers: combined with Hydro Hurricanes: W Reid, Capt, L Bailey, Paul O’Brien, C Hartley,
N Smith, E Ware, A Long.
True Blues: C Murdoch Capt, P Morrissey, G Hardy, Mick Palmer, G Murray, J Steer, M Patten
Cheetahs: T Elder, Capt, R Preston, A Dagley, S Goodwin, L Stevens, Goddard
Rovers: Guy Guinness, Noel Guinness, A Bougen, P Jaegar, A Robinson, Mick Palmer,
Pye, Hardy.
Cadets: R Sutherland, Capt, J Smyth, J Dick, R Opie, W Ellis, Ellis, Seabourne.
The Mount: Wally Hood Capt, (from Waikato), Jock Carson, Graeme Spencer, Ron White,
Maurice Woodcraft, Ken Raymond.
Women: 6 Teams
Rascals: J Parlane, E Grigg
Rainster: L Hunt Capt, L Julian, Zena Alexander
Nomads: (Teachers) P Scott, J Lane, B Dashwood, B Eagleson
Atomic: Maureen Morrissey, Capt, Peg Morrissey, Mona Morrissey, Nancy Morrissey, Lorna Morrissey, Dot Wagstaff, (Roy’s sister), P Guinness, S Hilton-Jones, S Reid, C Rochford
Reg Towers, Cros Randle, T Elder, W Reid, L Sylvester, W Sneddon, C Murdoch, R Grigg,
Noel Guinness, R Sutherland, Ray Simister, Wally Hood, W Palmer, J Parlane, Guy Guinness, A Dagley, L Julian, E Grigg, Dot Wagstaff, P Corston, M Morrissey.
Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association
AGM: Election of Officers for 1950 Season:
Patron: Mr R Polley
President: Mr M A Patten
Sec/Treasurer: (temporary appointment) Mr C Murdoch
Executive: Mrs G Guinness, Miss Dot Wagstaff, Messrs: Matt Gilpin, W Polley, R Sutherland, Wally Sneddon, Mike Foster
Auditor: Mr L J Stanton
Solicitor: Mr V J Palmer
Delegate to the Combined Sports Association: Mr Patten
Delegate to St John Ambulance: Mr Charlie Murdoch
Indoor Basketball Selectors:
Three men’s and three women’s selectors were elected at the meeting.
Men: T Elder, R Sutherland, Reg Towers
Women: Mrs G Guinness, Messrs: Reg Towers, Matt Gilpin
12 teams will play indoor basketball
Team nominations are for eight men and four women’s teams.
Men: Easy Aces, Cadets, Greshams, Cheetahs, Old Boys, True Blues, Toilers and Mount.
Women: Atomic, Kilroy, Wearwell, Rascals
The absence of Cros Randle (past President) from basketball has been noticed by all players and all will join in wishing him a speedy recovery and that once more we will have him in our midst. It is very fitting that his continued interest and fostering of the game in Tauranga and surrounding districts should be recognised by conferring on him a life membership.
Players may be compelled to reduce the playing time of their games to 15 minutes if the association is to have the use of one court only. This season has a full programme of trips away arranged and it is hoped to give all players the opportunity of participating in these trips. However, a tentative draw has been arranged for two courts.
Men’s games – Tuesday nights. Women’s games – Thursday nights.
Teams this season are much the same as last year with some new blood evident.
Tournament at Whakatane: The activities of the Association are now in full swing and the first tournament of the season is to be held tomorrow at Whakatane. Two men’s and one women’s team are to compete.
Men’s teams are assisting the game in Te Puke. Pukehina is making a very creditable effort to establish the game in their locality. Recently a team journeyed to Pukehina to give a coaching display. This was very well received by what should eventually be the foundation of a Te Puke Association.
Whakatane had an indoor basketball tournament held in the Winter Show Buildings, earlier in May. The Tournament was an outstanding success. The standard of play throughout was unusually high, and some close and thrilling finishes resulted.
In the Women’s final: Whakatane A defeated Morrinsville by 15 – 10
In the Men’s final: Tauranga defeated Morrinsville by 28 – 14.
The men’s team from Mount Maunganui was unfortunate not to be in the finals after defeating Whakatane A by 16 -14 in one of the best-matched and hardest games of the day.
Three men’s teams and one women’s team played in Whakatane.
Tauranga Men’s A: Mick Palmer, W Sneddon, Ray Simister, J Dick, R Disney.
Mount Men: First opportunity to play at an outside tournament.
Tauranga Men’s B: Performed well against stronger opposition.
Tauranga Women: Won one match and lost one.
Hamilton Tournament approaching 1st July.
Article by “Free Throw” suggests that Atomic the leading women’s team is too strong for other teams. Atomic is already playing under a handicap and winning regularly. Should Atomic split up and take in some of the new players they would be doing a service to the game.
In the second round of the men’s club games play is to be in two sections with the four leading teams in A Section and the remaining four in B Section.
Section A: Mount, Cadets, Easy Aces and Toilers.
Section B: Greshams, True Blues, Cheetahs, Old Boys
It is noted that only a men’s draw is published each week – does this mean the Association only has one night at the Rivoli?
Players critical of new grading system for men.
Tuesdays draw is back to two courts for the evening. Atomic a bye. Kilroy women’s team replaced by Blue Birds.
The Tauranga teams which took part in the Hamilton tournament on Saturday last, did not meet with any measure of success but never the less did not disgrace themselves.
Surprises still cropping up in Men’s Games.
Atomic women suffer first defeat of season. It has been necessary to handicap Atomic with 20 points.
It is hoped to have a visit by Ctirad Benacek, who played for Czechoslovakia and coached at national level. Ctirad (Ben) arrived in NZ earlier in 1950. He is to give an exhibition with two Tauranga Representative teams.
Atomic women to divide their combination between the other three teams and so even up the standard of play. This action by Atomic is to be commended. Play-off may not be necessary in men’s basketball. One more round of men’s games. Play in the graded men’s competition has improved both the A and B sections.
Men’s games still on Tuesday – women’s on Thursdays
The Knock out Competition has advanced to the stage where the finalists were decided. The Mount and Cadets in the A Grade and Old Boys and True Blues in the B Grade.
In the first round of games played by the reorganised women’s teams some interesting play resulted in a close competition.
The coming weekend will be a busy one as a Triangular Tournament has been arranged between the Onehunga and Community Sunshine Associations of Auckland and Tauranga.
In all 140 visiting players will try conclusions with both Tauranga men’s and women’s representative teams.
Club play: Memorial Shield men’s competition concluded.
Representative play: Tauranga players were seen to advantage in representative games last Saturday against the visiting Auckland clubs.
Women: Tauranga won. One pleasing feature of the Tauranga team’s success was the determination with which the girls played as a team proving that a sound combination can be developed by clean but aggressive play. It would be unfair to mention any individual player when as a team they all played so well.
Men: The Tauranga players revealed good teamwork and understanding which combined with fast passing movements, frequently caught the opposition out of position and enabled a scoring movement to end in their favour. Here again it would be unfair to mention individual players.
Tauranga Annual Tournament: Sept 1950
Teams entered: Winners decided on total number of points scored by each team in the preliminaries.
Women: Tauranga, Rovers, Community Sunshine Assn (CSA), 3 Kings, Hamilton A, Rompers, Wairoa No 1, Wairoa No 2, Pukekohe, Shamrocks, Chinese, Paeroa B, Swifts, Takanini, Navy, Thames, Richmond, Milne & Choyce.
Womens semi: CSA beat Rovers. Hamilton A beat Rompers: Final CSA beat Hamilton A
Men: Tauranga A, Tauranga B, Falcons, Paeroa A, Paeroa B, Pukekohe, Wairoa No 1, Wairoa No 2, CSA, Chinese, Tigers, Youth Club, Eastern United, Dominoes, Thames, Hamilton Colts, Hamilton B.
Mens semi: Paeroa beat Falcons. Tauranga B beat Pukekohe. Final: Paeroa beat Tauranga B
Cadets: R Sutherland, J Smyth, R Opie, J Dick, W Ellis, D Erkills, B Steele
Toilers: W Reid, N Smith, Paul O’Brien, Ray Simister, A Long, G Murray, Zimmerman, C Long
Old Boys: Matt Gilpin, M Stevens, Rex Woods, Stan Gilpin, W Sneddon, A Reid
Easy Aces: George Polley, E Staite, M Palmer, A Iles, S Bieleski, W Bill Polley, R Disney,
L Jenkins
Greshams: W Leary, O Seabourne, D Flay, E Ward, Williams, W Leong, Mick Parker
Cheetahs: Tom Elder
True Blues: Charlie Murdoch, G Hardy, P Morrissey, M Palmer, R Griffin, G Murray
Mount: Jock Carson, Wally Hood, R White, G Spencer, M Woodcraft, K Raymond
Atomic: L Morrissey, M Morrissey
Rascals: G Warde
Wearwell: S Barnwell
Kilroy: Replaced by Blue Birds: D Eagleson, N Vince
Referees: Charlie Murdoch, Ray Simister, W Sneddon, W Reid, R Sutherland, Len Towers, Matt Gilpin, Paul Guinness, M Morrissey, Wally Hood, Tom Elder, J Ingram, Reg Towers, M Patten, Z Alexander, Dot Wagstaff, L Morrissey, W Polley
(1951 – 1956 The Missing Years)
We have very little or no info of these years, therefore, if any of you are able to help that would be much appreciated. At the moment the only recourse to info of the missing years is the Bay of Plenty Times Archives – a time-consuming job to visit the library for any articles on basketball and where it was played.
We are very grateful that Jimmy Gilpin has recollections of the 1950’s and has written the following article which is letting us know what happened when Tauranga Indoor Basketball were unable to use the Rivoli Army Drill Hall.
“1948?
Walking from 4th Avenue to the Army Drill Hall in Dive Crescent (no family car) aged 10, with Mum and Dad to watch brother Matt play indoor basketball.
Easy Silvester’s team: Easy Aces were playing. As a youngster I was impressed with their aggressive zone defence spreading the width of the small court, eyes out on stalks, arms up sweating profusely and looking most impressive in black singlets and shorts. Just like the All Blacks!
Names I think: Easy Silvester, George Polley, Bill Polley, Graham Hardy, Rex Woods, Harold Robinson, Guy Guinness, Bruce Pridmore and Phil (maybe).
We went through the truck entrance and virtually onto the court.
The Army Drill Hall (Rivoli) had 2 small narrow courts with a row of posts on the sideline between them (dangerous!)
Several Army trucks needed to be taken outside and put back at the evenings end.
In the year 19?? The Army no longer let the building. Basketball was out and in a quandary.
Basketball trialled St John’s Ambulance new hall on Cameron Road. No height, ball damaged pinex ceiling and walls of the new building. BASKETBALL OUT!!
Haymans Hall tried. Too small but sometimes used for tournaments when available.
Presbyterian Church Hall. Too small - Ball damage.
Anglican Church Hall too small – ball damaged walls and ceiling.
Not a suitable building in Tauranga or the MOUNT.
Paengaroa Hall had a good sized court. It was used weekly by Te Puke players
A group from Tauranga made the weekly trip for a few years after work on week nights.
Rex Woods, Matt Gilpin, Roy Wagstaff, Don Ayers, Murray Naismith from memory. They would travel to Te Puke in Rex Wood’s dad’s car and with the Te Puke players all pile into the Te Puke Farmers Trading Co’s covered delivery truck for the trip to Paengaroa and return (the mind boggles).
Finally Te Puke built their War Memorial Hall in the main street and a few Tauranga teams played in their competition.
NOTE: Te Puke War Memorial Community Centre: Building commenced 2.6.1953 and officially opened 9.3.1955.
Indoor basketball fund raising efforts toward the building of the War Memorial Hall in Tauranga.
For six weeks every Christmas and January the TAURANGA 20,000 CLUB held a huge carnival every night with top New Zealand talent. Their profits were returned to the town. The 6th Avenue Swimming Pool, the Sound Shell and the War Memorial Stadium were all achieved with the help of the 20,000 club for years.
Indoor basketballers male and female manned the official raffle wheel every night with the promise of a new hall on the horizon”.
NOTE: The Memorial hall finally opened on 12.10.1957. Jos Evans’ father built the hall (Fleming and Sons).
Jimmy Gilpin – thanks for this great article of earlier days.
Records for this year are still to be added — can you help?
Records for this year are still to be added — can you help?
Back: Roy Wagstaff, Don Ayres, C White
Front: Matt Gilpin, Rex Woods
Reg Towers – President of Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association
Reg in his official NZIBA shirt for referees.
Tauranga Men: Playing in Te Puke, Rex Woods, Matt Gilpin.
Records for this year are still to be added — can you help?
Memorial Hall, Memorial Park, Tauranga
This stadium was officially opened 12 October, 1957. The stadium was built by Jocelyn (Fleming) Evans father (Fleming and Sons). Jocelyn played in the women’s Atomic Team.
Back: (Trish) Patricia McCarroll, Amelia Towers, Olive Alexander, Beverley Morrissey
Front: Helen Purdy, Peg Guinness, (Captain): Zena Alexander, Jocelyn Fleming
Tauranga Men’s rep team: Roy Wagstaff, Clem White, Don Ayres, Matt Gilpin, Bruce Pridmore, Rex Woods.
“Good start to Indoor Basketball”. The Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association season made a good start with a fair indication that the standard of games under the amended grading system will be very satisfying
Yachties and Easy Aces played the hardest game of the week. Yachties expending much of their foul quota early in the game to unsettle Easy Aces.
Whether the tactic was purposeful or not, it succeeded and Easy Aces suffered a resounding defeat. It was probably the first game for some seasons that had elapsed without Rex Woods and George Polley scoring a single point!. Article attached
Yachties:
Easy Aces: Rex Woods, George Polley, Bill Polley, Graham Hardy, Harold Robinson, Guy Guinness, Bruce Pridmore, Phil Morrissey
Women’s Team
Atomic won B Grade Championship – 1959
Back row: Ann Cooney, Patsy Wagstaff, Yvonne White, Beverley Griffin, Joy Harrison (Coach),
Front row: Jocelyn Fleming/Evans, P Trish McCarroll/Muir Capt: Margaret Vernal
Tauranga Women’s team: Coached by Rex Woods:
March 29th 1960 BAY OF PLENTY TEAM v TOURING LDS MISSIONARIES – Tauranga
Roy Wagstaff, Don Ayres from Tauranga in BOP team. LDS won 85-32
Men’s North Island Championships: Palmerston North – 7-9th July, YMCA Stadium.
15 teams entered including Tauranga.
Final Wellington 41 v Auckland 42
Prizegiving 7.11.1960
Married v Singles – G McDermott (Married) – Don Ayres No 12 (Single)
Vice President, Jim E Gilpin presenting C Grade cup to son Jimmy Gilpin from Yachties B
Atomic winners “B” Grade Champions 1960
Joy Harrison (Coach); Patsy Wagstaff, May Pridmore, Beverley Morrissey/Griffin, Mona Morrissey/Hartley, Jocelyn Fleming/Evans, P Trish McCarroll/ Muir (Capt)
NORTH ISLAND WOMEN’S B GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP AND CUP 30.6.1961 – 1.7.1961
Centennial Hall, McLean Park, Napier.
16 Teams: Tauranga won in final 52 – 43 against Mangakino.
Back: Jo Dawkins, Vice-captain, Dawn Elvin, Jan Mollgaard, Betty Bennett, Jean Prentice, Don Ayres, Coach
Front: Patricia (Trish) McCarroll, Peg Copestake, Janis Bennett
The first Tauranga team to win a major title. The players and Coach Mr Don W Ayres were welcomed home at the Air Centre, Wharf Street, Tauranga.
More than 50 members of the Tauranga Association were present with friends and relatives to hear the Mayor Mr D S Mitchell compliment the team.
Mr Cros R Randle (Life Member, former long-term President and foundation member) said the Association had won many minor titles and trophies, but this team’s effort was the best yet and reflected the spirit of the association.
Association President: Mr Michael Foster said the association was proud of the team and its feelings were evident on the numbers present.
Mr Don Ayres thanked his predecessor, Mr Rex Woods who had moulded the basis of the team.
NATIONAL WOMENS B GRADE CHAMPIONSHIPS, YMCA STADIUM, PALMERSTON NORTH
Programme 7.8.1961 – 10.8.1961
14 Teams: Tauranga beat Otago 65 – 38 to win the Women’s National B Grade title.
Front: Betty Bennett, Jean Prentice, Peg Copestake (Capt), Trish McCarroll, Janis Bennett
Back: Petra Osbourne, Dawn Elvin, Don Ayres (Coach), Jo Dawkins (V Capt), Jan Mollgaard.
Tauranga girls also won the highest average of successful free throws gained during the whole tournament. Peg Copestake and Jo Dawkins selected for the North Island Team. Peg was appointed Vice Captain in the North team.
South Australian men’s team (Australia’s National State Champs) toured NZ – they played in Tauranga.
Richard Piddock – NZ Men’s trialist
Women: A Section: Bethlehem, Inkspots, Teachers A.
Women: B Section: Atomic, Teachers B, Taxes, Bethlehem Blue, Checkers
Men: A Section: Easy Aces, Sputnik Black
Men: B Section: Bethlehem, All Stars, College, Bats B
Winners: Tauranga B Grade Championship and Taihape Tournament
Runners-up: Tauranga Handicap Tournament and Tauranga Tournament.
Second place: Thames Tournament
Back row: Mary Bell, Lynsey Burns, Val Crapp, Yvonne Gillies, Dorothy Moon
Front row: Jo Crapp, Mrs Joy Harrison (Coach), P Trish McCarroll/Muir (Captain).
Absent: Iola Millane, Margaret Rendall.
Winners: A Section
Back row: Josie Bennett/Smith, Geraldine Bennett/Reweti, Hamish Thompson Coach, Angela Bennett, Betty Bennett
Front row: Janis Bennett/Smith, Noreen Tata
Executive of Tauranga Association: Messrs Mike Foster (President), Keith Dawkins (Secretary), Roy Wagstaff (Club Captain), Mick Palmer, Don Ayres, John Braid, Matt Gilpin, R Smith. Mesdames Peg Copestake (Club Captain), Jo Dawkins, Bev Herring. Misses Jean Prentice (Treasurer), P (Trish) McCarroll.
Mr J G Hamlin (Tauranga’s resident delegate) also NZ Selector.
Mr Dave S Mitchell, Mayor of Tauranga is Patron of Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association.
First Home Representative games with Tauranga playing against Hamilton.
Tauranga Teams: Coach: Reg Towers. Manager: Matt Gilpin
Men’s A: Roy Wagstaff, (Capt), P Eddy, Richard Piddock, Kevin Trail, Keith Dawkins, Robert Smith, Bob Hunt.
Men’s B: B K James (Capt), Paul Dawkins, Andrew Dean, A Putt, Dave Braid, Kevin Grogan, P Bennett, Murray Dawson.
Women’s A: Peg Copestake, Jo Dawkins, Janis Bennett, Betty Bennett, Mary Bell, Val Crapp, Sonia Paterson, Dawn Elvin, Davina Enevoldsen, Jean Prentice.
Women’s B: P (Trish) McCarroll, Jan Mollgaard, Patsy Wagstaff, Dorothy Moon, Jo Crapp, Betty Sweetman
Referees: Don Ayres, R T Smith, Rex Woods, Neil Murray, Mike Foster, John Braid, T Elder, Mike Palmer.
NORTH ISLAND MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - MEMORIAL HALL, TAURANGA
Programme 5th, 6th, 7th July 1962
NZ men to play a selected tournament team in Tauranga before the North Island men’s championships are played in Memorial Hall.
NZ Men: Colin Agnew (Capt) B Bradley and R Mead (Hamilton) A Bland, B Bowden, Lance McLoughlin, B Watts (Wellington) R Williams (Auckland) R Wotherspoon (Hawkes Bay) F Baldwin (Dunedin) F Baldwin not available to play in this fixture.
Mr D S Mitchell, Mayor of Tauranga and Patron of Tauranga Indoor Basketball Assn.
Senior Referee appointed by N.Z.M.B.R.A. – Mr Reg Towers and Deputy Controller
Tournament Controller – Mr Michael Foster
Tournament Committee: Messrs Foster, Towers, R Wagstaff, K Dawkins, M Palmer, D W Ayres.
Messrs Mike Foster (President), Keith Dawkins (Secretary), Roy Wagstaff (Club Captain), Mick Palmer, Don Ayres, John Braid, Matt Gilpin, R Bob Smith, Mesdames Peg Copestake (Club Captain), Jo Dawkins, Bev Herring, Misses Jean Prentice (Treasurer), P (Trish) McCarroll.
NZ Men’s Basketball Referees Association. Reg Towers (Tauranga, senior), Basil K Marsh, (Wairarapa), Mike Foster (Tauranga).
Back: Manager: Matt Gilpin, Ray Eddy, Kevin Grogan, R Bob Hunt, Keith Dawkins, Reg Towers, Coach.
Front: Richard Piddock (NZ Team), Roy Wagstaff (Capt), Bob Smith
Tauranga played Wellington B in the first game of the tournament and won 38 – 27. Major scorers were Ray Eddy (11), Roy Wagstaff (10) Richard Piddock and Keith Dawkins (6)
Tournament Final: Hamilton v Wellington won by Wellington 45-44
Women: A
Atomic: P (Trish) McCarroll (Capt), Jo Crapp, Val Crapp, Dorothy Moon, Mary Bell, Margaret
Manson, Patsy Wagstaff, Liane Simpson, (Coach) Joy Harrison.
Atomic won Tauranga Knock-out Cup, Joint Winners of Womens Comp: and
also won the Edgecumbe and Taihape Tournament cups.
Teachers: Elaine Healy, Peg Copestake, Marg Scott, Betty Sweetman,
Bethlehem A: Janis Bennett, N Matthews,
Inkspots: Jo Dawkins
Checkers: Jean Prentice, Ruth Farrar, Judy Belcher
Hi Fi A: Dawn Elvin, Sonia Paterson,
Women’s B
Teachers B: M Kingston-Smith, Bev Herring, R Roach,
Bethlehem Blue: P Rolleston, M Tata,
Hi Fi B: P Hunt, S Kempster, L Bagge,
Checkers Green: Pam Callender
Taxes: S Mikaere,
Nurses: A Fraser,
Men: A
Yachties: Jimmy Gilpin, Alec Staite, Richard Piddock, Mick Palmer,
All Stars A: Roy Wagstaff, Murray Dawson, Ray Eddy, Jones, Don Ayres, Mike Cambie, John
Robinson, B Reid
Easy Aces: Rex Woods, Graham Hardy, Andy Dodd, Robert Smith,
Sputnik Black: J Graham, Bob Hunt, D Braid, H Woodcock
Bats A: Keith Dawkins, Harry Robinson, David Wildermoth, P Jamieson,
Saints: Chub Howarth, A Binkie Manson
All Stars B: K Janes
Men’s B
All Stars B: Peter Hansen, Ken Janes
Yachties B: A Dean, Matt Gilpin,
Troglodytes: A Robinson, J Cleave,
Bats B: K Connell,
Bethlehem: W Ormsby, C Bennett, B Matenga,
College: H Smith, B Prentice,
True Blues: B Enevoldsen, B Gallagher, S Lindstrom,
Easy Aces B: C Bennett
Presentation of trophies by Patron Mr D S Mitchell:
Championship awards in all grades.
Atomic and Teachers. Joint KO women winners received by Trish McCarroll
All Stars A – Guinness Memorial KO Trophy received by Bill Reid
All Stars A – Guinness Memorial Championship Trophy received by Roy Wagstaff
Bethlehem Women won A Grade Championship received by Josie Bennett
True Blues - D Enevoldsen received the award for goodwill and co-operation amongst officials.
End of season presentations – Presented by Mrs Barbara Foster, wife of Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association President, Michael Foster.
Individual Trophies: Patsy Wagstaff: Most Improved Women’s Forward
Val Crapp: Most improved Women’s Guard.
Harrison Waterhouse: Men’s Guard
Murray Goodhue: Men’s Forward
Doug Smith: Most promising junior
Association president: Mike Foster said one of the highlights of the season was the inclusion of Richard Piddock in the trials for the New Zealand Men’s team to visit Taiwan.
Mr Foster thanked all who helped in the promotion of basketball in the district. He said that the association looked forward to improved and expanded facilities in the planned new stadium.
NORTH ISLAND A GRADE WOMENS INDOOR BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS – MASTERTON WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM. 12TH AND 13TH JULY 1963
11 Teams:
Tauranga A Reserve Team: Betty Bennett (Capt), Petra Osbourne, Jean Prentice, P Trish McCarroll, Harata Hakaraia, Bev Herring, Margaret Scott, Val Crapp, Jo Crapp, Patsy Wagstaff, Marie Lewis, Robyn Davis. Mick Palmer (Coach)
Section A: Tauranga, Feilding, Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Stratford, Wairarapa
Back: Mick Palmer (Coach), Patsy Wagstaff, Val Crapp, Trish Muir, Robyn Davis, Jo Crapp.
Front: Betty Bennett, Capt: Jean Prentice, Margaret Scott, Petra Osbourne, Harata Hakaraia
1963 NATIONAL WOMEN’S A & A RESERVE CHAMPIONSHIPS - NELSON. 9 – 13 SEPTEMBER
12 Teams:
Tauranga Team: Mick Palmer Coach.
Back: Patsy Wagstaff, Robyn Davis, Jacky Craig, Val Crapp, Trish Muir, Harata Hakaraia
Front: Denise Austen Petra Osbourne, Betty Bennett, (Capt): Jean Prentice
Peg Copestake made the tournament team.
Atomic won a tournament at Thames
Back: Flo Ward (Coach), Jo Dawkins, Jacky Craig, Vicky Woodward, Sonia Paterson, Jean Prentice.
Front: Marie Lewis, Harata Hakaraia, Trish Muir, Patsy Wagstaff, Robyn Davis
NOTE: The preparation of the court for this tournament involved the girls of the rep team doing maintenance work. Something you wouldn’t see happening today!!
Hoops – Vicky Woodward and Jean Prentice. Court lines – Patsy Wagstaff and Jo Dawkins.
Back: Flo Ward (Coach), Robyn Davis, Jacky Craig, Vicky Woodward, Sonia Paterson, Patsy Wagstaff.
Front: Betty Bennett, Jean Prentice, Harata Hakaraia (Coach), Trish (McCarroll) Muir, Jo Dawkins.
NOTE: Flo Sadler/Ward was in the New Zealand Women’s team 1950 – 1952- 1954. She was Captain in 1952. Flo was a physical education teacher in Wellington and played for Wellington. Her team won the 1945 North Island Nationals in Hamilton in the Army Drill Hall. Flo coached in the Wellington Province and was a referee as well.
Tauranga Men’s Indoor Basketball Reps 1964 –
Front: Paul Dawkins, A Manson, Jimmy Gilpin Capt; Ian Graham, Robert Craig
Back: Murray Goodhue, Kevin Traill, Richard Piddock, T Hay, Keith Grogan, Trevor Ball Coach.
July 1964: Whakatane came to play Tauranga men at Memorial Park.
Tauranga players: Richard Piddock, Kevin Traill, Keith Lawrence, G Slack, Jimmy Gilpin, T Hay, Paul Dawkins, Kevin Grogan.
Tauranga Colts: K Munro, R Craig, C Watts, B Foster, W Reid, M Callaghan
Men’s A
All Stars: Ray Eddy,
Bats: Keith Dawkins, Kevin Grogan, Murray Goodhue, Harold Robinson,
Easy Aces: K Lawrence,
Yachties A: Richard Piddock, Binkie Manson, Kevin Traill,
Mount: H Harvey, Dave Ormsby,
Saints: Charlie Fox, R Chub Howarth
Men’s B
Old Boys: Roy Wagstaff, Mick Palmer
Bethlehem: H Thompson, Charlie Bennett, B Matenga,
Sputnik: Gary Ware, Dave Braid,
Trogs: J Cornes,
Men’s C
All Stars B: P Smith,
Times: T Asbury,
College B: C Watts
True Blues: B Enevoldsen, B Gallagher
Bats B: P Warnes
Women A
Atomic: P Trish Muir, Jo Crapp, Margaret Manson, Patsy Wagstaff, Denise Austen
Teachers A: Peg Copestake, Margaret Anderson, Jackie Craig, Sibyl Grant, Denise Austen
Harata Hakaraia.
Hotspots: Jo Dawkins, Sonia Paterson, Marion Wharry,
Bethlehem: Back: Janis Bennett/Smith, Betty Bennett, Dene Reweti,
Front: Jean Prentice/Hewitt, Wilma Smith, Puti Rolleston, Josie Bennett/Smith
Hi Fi A: Vicky Woodward, Marie Lewis
Checkers A: Pat Scholes,
Women’s B
Teachers B: Bev Herring,
Nurses: W Willison,
Taxes: L Merrick,
Hi Fi B: Anne Braid,
Championship Basketballers: Teachers ‘A’ winners of ‘A’ grade championship for 1964.
Back: Margaret Anderson, Jackie Craig, Flo Ward (Coach)
Front: Sibyl Grant, Denise Austen, Peg Copestake, Capt, and Harata Hakaraia
Taxes Womens Team took part in the Inland Revenue National Tournament:
Back: Dorothy Sanders, Peggy O’Neill, Robyn O’Neill, Peggy Copestake, Coach.
Front: Sue Harris, Val Harkness, Jennifer Dalgleish
Reg Towers: Refereed the North v South match at 1964 National Open Men’s Championships, Aug 31-Sep 5, Palmerston North. North won 57-54.
Women’s Rep Team – played in A Reserve North Island Open Championships, Auckland, 9-10 July, 1965.
Team: Flo Ward Selector/Coach. Betty Bennett, Captain, (Bethlehem), (a Tauranga rep for many years): Patricia (Trish) Muir, Vice Captain, (Atomic): Robyn Davis, Vicki Woodward, Jill Hill (Hi Fi): Patsy Wagstaff, Denise Austen (Atomic): Gladys Davies, Joan Oates (Hotspots): Jean Prentice (Checkers): Mary Tata (Bethlehem) is reserve.
Tauranga Women’s Rep Team – played in A Reserve Grade Nationals – Invercargill and came 3rd.
Played Southland, Hamilton, Hawera, Eastern Southland, Feilding, Eastern Southland, North Taranaki. Hamilton won the A Reserve Section
Back: Judy Crapp, Denise Austen, Rex Woods (Coach), Mavis Cleverly, Patsy Wagstaff,
Front: Trish Muir, Jill Hill (Capt), Anne Braid, Robyn Davis
Men: North Island B Grade Championships 8th – 10th July 1965 in Tauranga at same time women are in Auckland. Tauranga men came 4th in the North Island Champs.
Reg Towers and Richard Piddock at Men’s North Island B Grade Championships.
Men’s Rep Team played New Caledonian Team: Tauranga won 37 – 31.
Tauranga scorers were: Ross Fletcher 5, G Blake 2, Michael Cambie 6, Trevor Hay 4, Robin
Hodgson 16, Kevin Grogan 4.
Team: Back: G Blake, Ross Fletcher, Michael Cambie (Coach) Robin Hodgson (a Canadian living in Tauranga)
Front: Trevor Hay, Kevin Grogan (Capt), Paul Dawkins
QUEENSLAND basketball tour – game v Tauranga Invitation Team in Tauranga - 11.8.1965
Players: Richard Piddock, Kevin Grogan, Robin Hodgson (a Canadian living in Tauranga) Paul Dawkins, (Tauranga). Roy Williams, Wei Chan, Murray Watkinson, (Auckland), Brian Bradley, (Matamata), John Harrison, (Rotorua). Coach Michael Cambie, Manager Reg Towers. Referee Mike Foster.
Curtain Raiser: Tauranga College v Rotorua Boys High
College Old Boys: Matt Gilpin, Roy Wagstaff, J Robinson, B McNamara, Alan Graham,
Easy Aces A: Richard Quince,
Bats A: Keith Dawkins, Paul Dawkins
All Stars A: Ray Eddy
Fishers: Russell Black, Warren Osborne, Ian Sherrin
All Stars B: Ross Fletcher, I Graham, W Reid, Michael Cambie
College A: P Kohu, M Callaghan, Grant Lee, Ras Zachariassen
COB B: Dave Braid,
Bethlehem: Nikora, Joe Tata,
Hi Fi A: Winners “A” Grade Champs. Winners “A” Grade Knock-Out Cup, also Aces Club
Tournament trophy, Morrinsville Tournament trophy.
Team: Back: Robyn Davis, Vicky Woodward, Mavis Cleverly, Rex Woods (Coach)
Front: Raewyn Johnson, Jill Hill, Marie Gilpin (Capt), Anne Braid
Atomic: Denise Austen, Trish Muir, Patsy Wagstaff, Jo Dawkins, – Coach Roy Wagstaff,
Hotspots: Petra Osbourne, Gladys Davies, Joan Oates,
Bethlehem: J Smith, D Rewiti, M Hikairo, J Tawa, R Bennett, Betty Bennett, Mary Tata,
LDS B: Matthews, Matthews
Checkers A: Jean Prentice/Hewitt
Teachers A: Peg Copestake,
Bethlehem B: Mt Surf: United
Albion A: Gail McBride, F Parkes, P Kirkwood, Coach: Peg Copestake
College Albion B: Wendy Nicholas, Coach: Peg Copestake
Checkers B: Yvonne Manson,
QUEEN ELIZABETH YOUTH CENTRE - LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE BY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL, SIR BERNARD FERGUSSON. 25.3.1965
Work on the new centre is expected to begin this winter.
Richard Piddock, ex Tauranga rep player, was coached by Reg Towers who trained him in his original selection for the New Zealand men’s squad.
Richard was Tauranga’s first person to be selected for the Tall Blacks National team.
He moved to play in Hamilton in 1964 after having played club and rep basketball for Tauranga from 1960 – 1964. Richard transferred as a Cable trainee with Post and Telegraph.
He played for New Zealand men’s squad National Squad (Tall Blacks).
NZMA took, for the first time, a travelling referee to Australia with the NZ Men’s team in 1965 – Michael Foster from Tauranga. The NZ Men’s team included Richard Piddock.
Reg Towers refereed NZ Men v South Australia, Auckland YMCA, July 1965. Sth Australia won
in the last minute.
Mt Maunganui Basketball Association – Sub Association: Run by Peter and Sheryn Enevoldsen and committee.
NZ Women’s Indoor Basketball Association – National Reserve Grade Tournament
played in Memorial Hall, Tauranga.
Tauranga women’s representative coach, Rex Woods has hopes that this year at long last he might get close to the national reserve grade indoor basketball title for which the team has been striving for some years. The team captained by Robyn Davis is strong in terms of experience at representative level. In the build up to this tournament Tauranga beat A grade teams, Hamilton and Auckland and upset long time rivals Rotorua who are also in the reserve grade.
Tauranga played North Taranaki first and it wasn’t till the closing stages that they won by a comfortable margin of points. Vicky Woodward 20 points, Mavis Cleverly 13 points. Robyn Davis was out with an ankle injury.
Tauranga rattled up the highest score and the biggest margin of the tournament to date when they beat Palmerston North 70 – 20. Vicky Woodward 21 points: Jo Dawkins 16 points: and Patsy Wagstaff 12 points. Anne Braid and Mavis Cleverly both played a solid guard’s game.
Tauranga scrambled to a 47 – 22 win over Eastern Southland with Vicky again top scoring with 25 points, Petra Osbourne, Jo Dawkins and Patsy Wagstaff with 6 points each.
As a result of winning the Reserve A Grade championships at the NZ Women’s Indoor Basketball Association national tournament held in Tauranga, the local team has won promotion to the A Grade. Tauranga won the title from Wanganui 51 – 44 in the final match of the tournament.
Back: Vicky Woodward, Anne Braid, Mavis Cleverly, Val Crapp, Rex Woods (Coach).
Front: Jo Dawkins, Patsy Wagstaff, Robyn Davis (Capt), Petra Osbourne, Judy Crapp
1966 Women’s Team Photo — Tauranga Women’s team 2.9.1966.
Back: Judy Crapp, Mavis Cleverly, Vicki Woodward, Val Crapp, Petra Osbourne, Rex Woods (Coach).
Front: Jo Dawkins, Robyn Davis (Capt), Patsy Wagstaff, Anne Braid.
Robyn Davis – picked as trialist for NZ Women’s team – Tall Ferns
May 1966: Tauranga Men v Gisborne.
Tauranga v Whakatane
Team: Bob Hunt, Mike Callahan, Phil Hughes
Tauranga to host NZ Men’s Team to play Auckland Provincial team.
Provincial Team: Reg Smith, Bill Mead, Tom Kiely, Hamilton, Murray Watkinson, John Bull, Auckland, Chas Woolley, Colin Spedding, Rotorua.
First Curtain Raiser: Thames High School v Tauranga Boy’s College.
Second Curtain Raiser: Auckland Women v Tauranga Women.
Tauranga Invitational Team v Spartans - San Jose State College, California – game in Tauranga. San Jose won 104 – 56. Stu Inman Coach. He spent time at Boy’s College doing a coaching session.
Team: Ras Zachariassen (Coach), Player. Ian Hastings, (Capt): Richard Piddock, Hamilton, John Harrison, Colin Spedding, (Rotorua), Jock Neville, Reece Mead, Hamilton, Alan Graham, who played Club for College Old Boys, a NZ trialist and invited to play for a NZ Team against Oregon State University on their NZ Tour.
1966 Club Teams and Players
Falcons: All Stars B: Easy Aces
Women’s A
Married A: Eileen Kane (Capt), Mavis Cleverly, Anne Braid, Patsy Wagstaff, Jo Dawkins, Petra Osbourne, Sonia Paterson, Peg Copestake (Coach).
Married B: A Lineham, Betty Bennett, J Smith, S Mikaere, C Kohu, P Mellow, G Strachan, L Stevenson, Bonnie Leonard, J Taylor
Married C: Yvonne Manson, G Radcliffe, F Diamond, M Sullivan, M Waters, G Harwood, W Hay, J Graham.
Single A: Robyn Davis, Judy Crapp, Denise Austen, Linda Rogers, Linda Hazeldine, A Taylor, L Hodges, Chris Cumpstone.
Single B: F Parkes (Capt), C Cooney, M Potter, M Barnes, W Gallichan, S Collins, P Woisin, J Trotman, J Barrett
Single C: A Birks, M Mathews, R Tarawa, M Howe, J Hazeldine, W Nicholas, G McBride, V Munoe, C. Hammond, S Laurie
Married A: Ian Hastings (Capt), Ras Zachariassen, Joe McLeod, Bob Hunt, Roy Wagstaff, Keith Dawkins, Cliff Hoy.
Married B: Charlie Bennett, Robert Smith, H Thompson, S Kohu, B Walker, D Brown, N Morrissey, K Stevenson, T Rolleston, R Diamond, G Tata.
Single A: Phil Black, M Callaghan, H Wagemaker, M Roach, G Lee, A Graham, L Alspach, D Sims.
Single B: J Waetford, V Tarawa, K Alcock, M Mathews, M Watts, R Taylor, R Julian
Jean (Prentice) Hewitt — in April 1966 Jean was awarded a Life membership to Tauranga basketball. Jean served on committees, played club and rep for Tauranga for many years.
Michael Foster, National referee, travelled again with NZ Men’s team tour to Australia. Michael also a BOP Regional Councillor of NZ Men’s Basketball Association
NZMBA informed that Reg Towers was appointed an international referee by FIBA. He also was BOP Regional Councillor of NZ Men’s Basketball Association.
Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre construction under way – May 1966
Tauranga Senior Reserve Nationals: Christchurch: Tauranga were Runners Up
Results:
Tauranga 41 beat Rotorua 36: Jo Dawkins 14, Robyn Davis 6, Patsy Wagstaff 5, Mavis Cleverly 4, Lynda Hazeldine 4, Denise Austen 4, Anne Braid 3, Judy Crapp 1.
Tauranga 51 beat North Taranaki 30
Tauranga 38 lost to Nelson 41.
Tauranga 38 lost to Otago 48
Tauranga 56 beat Palmerston North 34
Tauranga 56 beat Hawera 34
Tauranga 37 lost to Hutt Valley 47 in the final of the Senior Reserve Grade.
Back: Raewyn Groube, Jo Dawkins, Robyn Davis, Patsy Wagstaff, Rex Woods (Coach)
Front: Linda Rogers, Anne Braid, Mavis Cleverly (Capt), Lynda Hazeldine, Judy Crapp.
Tauranga men and women’s team travelled to Kawerau.
Tauranga Women v Kawerau Women: Tauranga won 50 – 8 with Patsy Wagstaff scoring (19), Mavis Cleverly (17), Linda Hazeldine and Jo Dawkins (6) each and Judy Crapp (2). Players to stand out were Linda Hazeldine and Robyn Davis for their hard work both on attack and defence. Kawerau played a zone defence and their attack was poor hampered by bad ball control. No team would have been able to play well, however, owing to the poor lighting in the stadium.
TAURANGA TEAM: R J (Joe) McLeod, L Alspach, R Hunt, Ian Hastings, G Lee, Alan Graham, Hans Wagemaker, Ras Zachariassen, Alan Oates, Mike Callaghan
July 1967: Touring Gold Coast men’s team played sub associations including Tauranga and Rotorua. Gold Coast won all games against 8 teams. Tauranga played the Gold Coast on 11th August 1967.
National Invitation Tournament: Blenheim, Aug 28 – Sep 1.
Tauranga, Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Palmerston North, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago, Hutt Valley, Wanganui, Hawkes Bay. Rotorua, Southland, Marlborough and Tasmania, Australia.
Tauranga were in the same section as Wellington. Wellington had to work hard to beat Tauranga 79 – 71.
Wellington went on to beat Waikato for the Title. Individual awards: Monk Cup (outstanding centre or forward) to Richard Piddock – now in Hamilton
Richard Piddock played in the NZ Invitation team in July and August against the touring North Queensland team. The NZ Invitation beat them in two games 84-62 and 74-70.
Atomic Women winners of A Grade Handicap.
Back: Denise Austen, Colleen Maxwell, Pat Wagstaff
Front: Trish Muir, Judy Crapp, Capt, Lynda Rogers.
Hi Fi A Women winners of the Championship Cup (A Grade) and Knockout Trophy. Winners of the LDS Tournament and Easy Aces Club Trophy.
Photo: Back: Raewyn Groube, Robyn Davis, Anne Braid.
Front: Christine Cumpstone, Rex Woods (Coach), Mavis Cleverly (Capt), Lynda Haseldine.
Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre – officially opened in 1967
National Council Bay of Plenty Region member: Reg Davey
This competition was played on the one court at Mount Sports Centre and club nights were run on a Thursday night from 6.15pm first game to 10.39pm start of last game!!
The Mount Sports Centre was officially opened in 1967 but play in the stadium started in 1965.
Tauranga Women’s Rep Team, 1968
Back: Rex Woods (Coach), Chris Cumpstone, Jill Hill, Liz Ray, Judy Crapp,
Front: Wendy Nicholas, Gaylene Norris, Mavis Cleverly, Muriel Gaby, Karen Hill.
Tauranga men and women’s rep team played a New Caledonian touring team – May, 1968.
Western Suburbs and New Caledonia teams tour manager and coach, Jim Christensen. Jacques Clavel, Captain of New Caledonia Touring basketballers, Ross Williams, secretary of Western Suburbs were presented gifts by Reg Towers, life member of Tauranga Indoor Basketball, in recognition of their services towards betterment of the sport.
West Australia State Team tour: They toured the North Island and in seven games lost three to local teams. They played in Tauranga 21 May 1968 against a Tauranga Invitation Team which Tauranga lost 32 – 68.
Venture for Victory (US Christian Team) toured NZ in July 1968. They played in 10 venues, Tauranga being one of them.
1968 National Invitation Tournament, Masterton 26 – 30 August.
Tauranga played with 11 other teams plus a team from Rockhampton, Australia.
Wellington played Palmerston North in the final and won 53 – 52.
1968 National Zone Finals – Tauranga 9 – 10th August – Winners Otago.
The Tournament was originally scheduled for Auckland but Auckland were temporarily suspended for non payment of NZMBA affiliation fees. Winners were Otago.
Atomic
Men’s A: no teams listed at this time.
Maori Basketballers playing Queen’s Birthday Weekend, in the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre. It was a two day tournament and local teams were joined by other centres in the Bay of Plenty playing.
Local Teams:
Bethlehem: Back: J Tata, C Brown, S Bidois, B Plant, H Thompson. Front: R Diamond, M Bennett, R Smith (Capt), D Kingi
Whareroa: T Ngatai, L Ngatai, M Ngatai, P Enevoldsen, G Stockman
LDS Team: Back: A Ormsby, C Mikaere, T Carter, E Waetford. Front: K Ranui (Coach), B Tarawa, M Matthews
Willie French and Ivan Griffin
Willie on the left – in his second season of play and captain of the Mt Maunganui Saints team. He has also taken part in Mount and Tauranga Rep games.
Ivan, a pupil at Mt Maunganui College is also in his second season and plays for the Evolution Team.
Started in Tauranga – played on Friday nights for boys and girls at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre. This was run by senior players and became a great success.
This photo of basketballers from Tauranga South School has them winners of Tauranga Indoor Basketball League, B Grade junior championship.
Back Row: Gillian Myers, Jocelyn Maddison, Mrs G Davis (coach), Carlotta Frankovich, Janey Davis
Front Row: Deborah Winchcombe, Rozelle Mansel, Christine and Jeanette Stretton.
Women.
Tauranga played in the National Women’s Tournament in Dunedin. Coach: Joe McLeod
Men.
Men’s Qualifying Tournament for the National Championships, held Queen’s Birthday weekend in the Memorial Hall, for teams from BOP. Whakatane, Kawerau, Rotorua, Tauranga.
Tauranga played Rotorua in the final – win to Rotorua 52 - 47
Tauranga team: Back: R Taylor, Grant Lee, Joe McLeod (Coach), Phil Black, K Hicks
Front: A Sims, Laurie Hayon (Capt), Willie French, L Alspach.
4th National Invitation Tournament held in Tauranga Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Sept 1-5th. 16 teams – Wellington, Kawerau, Nelson, Hawera, Otago, Hutt Valley, Wanganui, Hawkes Bay, Auckland, Southland, Canterbury, Palmerston North, Marlborough, Rotorua, Tauranga and Sth Australia Centrals from Adelaide.
The Tauranga Mayor’s introduction said it was the largest event ever conducted by the Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association.
Centrals of Adelaide beat Marlborough 104 - 50, Hutt Valley 92 – 51 and defending champions Wellington 87 - 68 to make the finals. Centrals beat Nelson 103-68.
Finals night at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre – August 1969
Two teams featured in play were Quinteens and Moody Blues:
Quinteens at the back: Jean Stevenson, Jan Nelson, Virginia Hartley, Donna Stead, Patricia Hartley
Moody Blues in front: Wendy Harrison, Joy Coulston, Helen Clucas, Gillian Myers
Winners of Boys B Grade Section:
Caribous: Jeffrey Nelson, Wayne Graham, John Hartley and Tony Lennan
Finals night – August 1969
Tauranga Boy’s College v Otumoetai College for the Collegiate Cup. Tauranga Boy’s - winners 46-28.
Cup presented on behalf of the President of Tauranga Indoor Basketball by Eileen Kane to Stephen Ellison, Boys College.
CLUB TEAMS and players
Men
Bats: M Watkins. Winners of championship round 1969
All Stars: Runners up “ “ 1969
Easy Aces: B Manson
Falcons: M Matthews
Midgets: W Brown, A Gradon
LDS A: A Ormsby, L Matthews.
College O B: I Sherrin
Atomic: A Grade Runners Up winners
Hi Fi A: V Lilley,
Checkers: Hilda Ross,
Bethlehem Blue: B Ririnui,
Hotspots: Margaret Scott. Winners of Women’s A Grade
Bethlehem White: F Diamond
Tauranga Girls College A: M Matthews, P Lloyd
Judea: Otumoetai College A: Nurses
Te Puke: Winners of Women’s B Grade
Otumoetai Women: J Young
Runners-up Women’s B Grade
Bethlehem: B Ririnui,
Women: Married - Winners
Most Improved Women’s Guard: J Young, Otumoetai Women
Most Improved Women’s Forward: B Ririnui, Bethlehem
Most Improved Men’s Guard: A Gradon, Midgets
Most Improved Men’s Forward: I Sherrin, College
The President’s trophy for the most team spirit and co-operation: Bethlehem White
NZ Junior Men competed in the Australian Junior Champs 1969, Tasmania. The team made up of under 18 players, included Phil Black from Tauranga. The NZ Juniors won only one game of six - this was the game against Tasmania 81 – 76.
Women.
Men.
Tauranga men played Hawkes Bay in Memorial Hall – April 1970
The visitors had the benefit of some rep games already played this season and were able to dominate Tauranga who have not yet reached top form. Final score Hawkes Bay 74 – Tauranga 52.
Tauranga: Ray Zachariassen, Willie French, Ross Fletcher, Alistair Sims, Joe McLeod
Curtain Raiser: Mount Maunganui played Hawkes Bay. Score 43 – 65 to Hawkes Bay
Tauranga: Mike Wright, Kim Creed
Czechoslovakia tour: Nine day tour – 6 matches. They played a match in Tauranga against the Tall Blacks at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre. NZ lost 115 – 60.
Sth Australia Youth Club from Adelaide v Tauranga Men
Curtain Raiser: Tauranga Women v Rotorua at QEYC
Young Life Basketball team from Chicago played an exhibition match against Tauranga Junior men in August 1970.
Atomic
Mini-Ball
College Grade
Newspaper cuttings and photographs from the era — click any image to enlarge.
Jun 1961 C Benacek & Son
Jun 1961 Tga Reg,, Benacek
Nov 61 Tga 7 v Qld
Oct 1961 Aust v Ak
Jul 1962 Tga v Roy
Jul 1962 v Hawkes Bay
25.6.1963
Apr 63 Tga Peg v
Apr 63 Tga at Rot
Apr 63 Tga v Rot at Rot
Jun 1963 John Braid with son Peter
May 63 TgavRot, Ray Eddy
Nov 1963 Reg Copestake, CR Randle
1964 — game action in Tauranga. Te Ao Mārama collection, Tauranga City Libraries.
Aug 64 v Ham. Sonia Paterson
Jul 1964 Nth Island Open Champs v Wairarapa No 9 Jackie Craig
Jul 1964 Nth Island Open Champs v Wairarapa, Robyn Davis
Jul 1964 Nth Islands Jean Prentice, Vicky Woodward, Wanganui
Jul 1964 Stuart Inmans, US Coach
July1964 Stuart Inmans US Coach
Sep 1964 Peg Copestake, C R Randle
Sep 1964 Robert Craig, CR Randle
Sep 1964 Robyn Davis v Ham
Sep 1964, Roy Wagstaff, CR Randle
Aug 1965 Tga v Nth Qld
Aug 65 Men v Nth Queensland
Aug 65 Tga Rep practice before Invercargill, Ann, Patsy, Vicky, Jill
Aug 65 Tga Rep practice before Invercargill, Robyn, Vicky, Patsy, Jill, Jean
Jul 1965 Nth Is Mens B grade. Tga v Dannevirke
Jul 65 Nth Is B Champs Tga v Wellington
Jul 65 Nth Is B champs. Tga v Wellington
Apr 1966 Jo Dawkins, basketballer & golfer
Aug 1966, Mary Woods with billet C Roslyn
Jul 1966 Richard Piddock 13 v San Jose
July 1966 San Jose v
Jun 1966 Mavis, Vicki, Jo, Anne v Ham
Jun 1966 Tga v Hm
Jun 1966 Tga, Mavis, Jo v Ham
Jun 1966 Vicky, Anne v Tga
Jun 1966 v Ham, Robyn,Jo
Jun 66 Vicki v Ham
May 1966 Bob Hunt Tga V Gis
May 1966 Bob Hunt, Tga v Gisborne
May 1966 Mike Callaghan, 11 Phil Hughes 10 v Whakatane
May 1966 Tga v Gisborne
May 1966 Tga v Whakatane
May 1966 Vicky, Eileen K, Robyn D,
Jul 1967 Tga v Venture for Victory
July 1967 Ian Hastings v Adven for Victory
Marie (Lewis) Gilpin, Photo News 1964
Tauranga Monogram
In 1971 the story of basketball in Tauranga was still being written in the Tauranga Indoor Basketball Association’s record books — and much of this chapter is still being gathered by our life members today.
These decades saw enormous change: the Mt Maunganui Indoor Basketball Association became a full independent association in June 1983; Tauranga produced Tall Blacks in Derek Joustra (1973–75), Roger Simister (1976) and Eric Howard (1982–85); Jill Hill coached junior and senior women’s teams through the 1970s and 1980s, taking the Tauranga Women into the Waikato League in 1990; and in 2002 the association became the Western Bay Basketball Association under a new constitution.
The game found new homes too — from the Mount Action Centre on Triton Avenue to Baypark Arena, built in 2000 with nine courts.
Do you have photographs, programmes, clippings or memories from the 1970s, 80s, 90s or 2000s? We would love to hear from you — see Share your memories below.
In 2010 the association took its present name — Tauranga City Basketball. Today the game thrives across the city: thousands of players from primary school to premier grades, representative teams at every age group, and a new four-court home at Haumaru on Cameron Road, opened 12 May 2025.
Derone Ruakawa carried Tauranga colours into the Tall Blacks (2016–18), continuing a line of national representatives that began with Richard Piddock half a century earlier.
This chapter is being written right now — and it stands on the shoulders of everyone named in these pages.
Venues
Where it all began — Grand Opening Night, Wednesday 25 May 1938. Two courts, small and not that wide, with poles down between them. Army trucks had to be backed outside on playing nights.
Building commenced 2 June 1953 and officially opened 9 March 1955. During Tauranga’s years without a hall, Tauranga players travelled to Te Puke and Paengaroa to keep the game alive.
Officially opened 12 October 1957, built by Fleming and Sons — the father of Jocelyn (Fleming) Evans, who played in the women’s Atomic team.
Home of the Mt Maunganui sub-association (a full association from June 1983). The Mount previously played at other venues including the Peter Pan Hall, Pacific Avenue. Officially opened 1967.
Foundation stone laid by His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Fergusson, on 25 March 1965; officially opened in 1967.
A storage building owned by the Owens Group, big enough to provide four courts for several years.
Built in 2000 with nine courts. Known over the years as Trustpower Baypark, ASB Baypark, Blue Chip Stadium and Tect Arena.
Opened 12 May 2025, with four courts — the newest home of basketball in Tauranga.
People & Honours
Referee from the 1940s to the 1960s. The NZMBA was informed that Reg was one of only three referees appointed as an International Referee by FIBA. He refereed the North v South match at the 1964 National Open Men’s Championships and NZ Men v South Australia in 1965.
Referee from the 1950s to 1966. The NZMBA took Mike to Australia as travelling referee on the NZ Men’s tours of 1965 and 1966, and he refereed the 1966 Venture for Victory tour — the first time a travelling referee accompanied a NZ team.
Referee from the 1950s to the 2000s. Refereed at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Basketball New Zealand launched the Basil Marsh Referees Scholarship to honour his huge contribution to basketball over 60 years.
Tauranga Head Referee and instructor. Received the BBNZ Ian Goodwin Services to Officiating Award in 2010.
Honouring those whose service shaped basketball in Tauranga.