Sporting History

Mrs Rona Iris MCCARTHY (nee Tong) has been a sportswoman throughout her life, commencing at Hastings High School in 1931 she was School Athletic Champion for three years and also in the School top Basketball team.

1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1938 she played for the “West End Basketball Club” then in 1939 became a coach-Player for the Convent Old Girls Club which had 4 teams.

In 1946 she retired from being a player and carried on as coach of the Club continuously including the 1978 season. During the 40 years of coaching for the Club Mrs McCarthy gave outstanding service and had remarkable success in all grades.

As a player she was a Hastings Sub. Association Major representative for 8 years and a Hawke’s Bay Major representative for 8 years. She selected for the North Island team in 1938 and 1945 and for a New Zealand Basketball team to tour Australia in 1937.

Mrs McCarthy then became the Hastings Sub. Association Selector-Coach-Manager of the Senior team, a position she held for 20 years. During this period she was also the Hawke’s Bay, Selector-Coach-Manager and this team attended the New Zealand tournament, that was in the years 1951 to 1962. On two occasions Hawke’s Bay were runner-up for the New Zealand Cup this being no mean feat from such a small Association as Hawke’s Bay. Hawke’s Bay players were prominent in the North Island teams selected at the New Zealand Tournament. After retiring from coaching Hawke’s Bay she was appointed Manager of the Hawke’s Bay Team on four occasions. In 1963 and 1967 she was a North Island Netball Selector.

She has given an immense amount of time and energy to the Hastings Sub. Association, and has been a member of the executive for 34 years.

She has been a member of the Hawke’s Bay Netball Council for 18 years, and is Life Members of both Hastings Sub. Association and Hawke’s Bay Netball Union.

In 1970 she was honoured by Netball New Zealand with the receiving of the Service Award, a very high honour given by New Zealand.

In 1972 and 1973 she was Hawke’s Bay Coaching Convenor and Examiner.

During her career she has been interested in coaching at both Primary & Secondary School level and this has taken many lunch time hours, as well as after school. She travelled extensively throughout Hawke’s Bay coaching all grades and assisting in umpiring.

She has helped to promote sports in all schools and has been guest speaker at Intermediate Schools. Mrs McCarthy was asked to speak at a National Party pre-election meeting on sporting equipment requirements.

Mrs McCarthy was selected as a member of the Hastings City Recreation and Sports Committee for the years 1975, 1976, 1977.

Mrs McCarthy latest venture was in 1977 when she organised and ran Ladies Mid Week Netball which was a huge success when up to 100 players took part each Wednesday morning.

In 1979 Rona was awarded the MBE in recognition of service to netball and the community.

ATHLETICS   She had an outstanding career in athletics holding titles for Hastings, Hawkes Bay and New Zealand. Once again she was keen to pass on her knowledge and had coaching schools for athletes many of whom went on to gain higher honours.

The highlight of her career was when she was chosen for New Zealand (her second N.Z. honour) to compete in the British Empire Games held in Sydney Australia 1938 at which she won a Bronze Medal in the 80 yards Hurdles and was also a member of the New Zealand Ladies relay team.

Athletic records
Commenced competitive running in 1931.

Held Hawkes Bay titles for :    100 yards Flat   1932, 1934, 1935, 1937.
75 yards Flat   1932, 1936
Womens Hurdles   1933 to 1939

Held New Zealand Womens Hurdles Title 1935, 1937, 1939

Member Hawkes Bay-Poverty Bay Ladies relay team 1932 to 1939

Represented New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Syndey [Sydney] Australia 1938, 80 yards Hurdles, placed 3rd in final, Bronze Medal.

BOWLS (Outdoor)
Past President of Kia-Toa Bowling Club – very active and competitive member.