Newspaper Article 1963 – Mrs McCarthy named as NI selector

Mrs McCarthy named as NI selector

By Goal Attack

A well-known Hastings Basketball Association personality and member of the Hawke’s Bay Basketball Council, Mrs R. McCarthy, has been chosen as North Island selector for the New Zealand tournament to be held at Rotorua this year.

Mrs McCarthy has a long history of basketball representation herself. As Miss Rona Tong she represented Hawke’s Bay for eight years and the North Island on two occasions. She has proved herself a brilliant player and gained a place in the New Zealand team to Australia in 1937.

Throughout the past 23 years, Mrs McCarthy has coached the Convent Old Girls club teams. Under her guidance the teams have had outstanding success in all grades and have produced many top-line representatives.

In the last 17 years she has given valuable time and effort as an executive member of the Hastings Basketball Association.

Mrs McCarthy did not seek re-election as Hawke’s Bay’s coach this year. She has selected, coached, and managed the team for the past 12 years. In these years the Bay has been runner-up to the New Zealand Cup in the senior grade twice, and winner of the Rosenbrook Cup six times.

Apart from her basketball activities, Mrs McCarthy is remembered as an athletics champion, having represented New Zealand at the Empire Games in Australia in 1938, and winning a bronze medal for New Zealand in the 80-metre hurdles.