Memorial netball games
The next edition of an annual memorial netball tournament that has been played for more than 60 years in honour of a Takapau teenager is due to be staged next month.
Takapau Netball Club, one of the oldest in the country, started hosting a fun netball tournament way back in 1950. Since 1955, the tournament has been called the Rosalie Anderson Tournament in memory of a 16-year-old girl who died of pneumonia in August that year.
Takapau Netball Club president Karen Hunter said Rosalie was a local girl who played netball for the club and was better known as ‘Rosie’ on account of her cheerful disposition.
“She was a bright, loving person whose smile lit up a room,” Karen said.
After her death, Rosalie’s mother Edna, donated a trophy for the tournament. Karen said after Edna passed way in 1982, she was buried alongside her daughter in a cemetery on the Takapau Plains.
“This tournament has been played since 1955 and will continue to for as long as possible. This tournament is well known and has attracted not only netballers from all over New Zealand, but also businesses, rugby players, golf players. It is a tournament that is purely for fun and allows as many teams as possible to enter and enjoy themselves,” Karen said.
This year’s tournament is on Sunday, August 26, with Takapau Netball Club supplying all balls, bibs and umpires on the day.
It is for players aged 12 and over, and teams can register up to 10 players, male or female.
■ Entry costs $30 and registrations close at 3pm on August 16. There will also be food sales on the day, and spot prizes up for grabs. To register, email huntermkaren@gmail.com or call 0275 816 482.