Letters: Basketball was strong in Rotorua 50 years ago

Reuben Te Rangi showing how it's done. Photo/file

International basketball was played in Rotorua in the 1960s and 1970s.

Taiwan Republic of China National Women's Team played the New Zealand National Women's Team in the Sportsdrome. Taiwan paraded into the stadium with four large flags displayed high.

The tip off was delayed somewhat as Taiwan refused to play with the ball which was made in Communist China, Peking. Taiwan eventually won a hotly contested game. (A replacement ball was eventually found in the clubrooms).

International teams to Rotorua included Oregon and San Josa Universities and others from the US.

The Harlem Globe Trotters also came twice to packed stadiums.

Basketball was strong in Rotorua and Bay of Plenty in those days.

Rotorua had three men's and five women's grades.

Each year it took a length of time to place around 43 teams into grades playing on one night up to 11pm conclusion.

The hall was always packed with players and spectators.

A match that had the stadium in an uproar was when the Bay of Plenty Men defeated the New Zealand Men's international team.

Colin and Peter Spedding, and Brian Bowden featured in that team.

Wally Glew, a dynamic chairman/secretary of Rotorua Basketball, organised much of the affairs assisted by Ngaire Lee.

Rotorua had eight fully qualified New Zealand referees at the time.

Alan Lord
Patron of Rotorua Basketball
Involved 1965-2018
Rotorua

Spending money to save money

There is an old saying. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish and you feed him for life".

A similar philosophy may well be applied to the Government's very generous (and much appreciated) help for pensioners with the winter power bills.

For $6000 partial solar power may be fitted to most houses which would drastically lower power bills permanently. Just a thought.

Jim Adams
Rotorua