President leaves her role

PRESIDENT:Mirth Solomon has served as Netball Rotorua president for 15 years. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

ROTORUA'S Mirth Solomon will always be welcome at Netball Rotorua following 15 years serving as president.

Solomon, who won a world tournament representing the Silver Ferns in 1967, has been involved with the local netball organisation since the early 1960s.

She took up the role of president in 2001 and has helped Netball Rotorua go from strength to strength during her tenure. She recently decided to step down to allow "someone with a fresh mind" to take over.

New president Freda Horomia was appointed to the position on Monday following the organisation's AGM.

If you were to ask Solomon what her proudest achievement was during her time in charge, she would most likely give you a tongue-in-cheek answer like "nothing, I didn't do anything".

But ask one of her fellow volunteers, of which there are 13 running the organisation, you will get a completely different story.

"I think one of the best qualities Mirth has had has been that she is often outside supporting the umpires and the players, and I think the fair play on the courts has improved tremendously under her leadership," Pat Wyatt, the Netball Rotorua draw secretary, said.

"Before she was president it was quite abusive. People on the sidelines, and players, were abusing umpires. But it has certainly improved under Mirth."

Solomon has also done a great deal of work with the children's setup at Netball Rotorua, helping increase the number of children getting into the game. Solomon said she couldn't have done what she did without the help of her fellow volunteers at the centre.

"It's great when you have a wonderful band of women who do all the work and you can sit back and watch," she said with a laugh.

The former goal shoot, and top-level umpire said she was proud to see the centre still going strong, running events like the huge Kurangaituku Netball Tournament.

"The tried and true still stands, we still have the Kurangaituku Tournament which is simply massive for Rotorua."

Netball Rotorua caters for a huge number of teams at its courts off Malfroy Rd, hosting more than 200 teams every Saturday during the winter netball season. It also attracts about 600 teams to the city during the annual Kurangaituku Netball Tournament.

Solomon said she would still visit the courts, and no doubt would be welcome for a cup of tea any time.

Last three presidents at Netball Rotorua:
- Jean Lodge 1954-1981
- Taini Jamison 1981-2001
- Mirth Solomon 2001-2016