Having a (net) ball

Sports

By Christine Hatcher

“NOT for the faint hearted but definitely for the young at heart” is how Rosie Blake, media director for the “Golden Oldies” netball extravaganza describes this forthcoming international event. She forecasts it will top the Sixth Festival of Pacific Arts on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Running back to back with the festival, the date is set from October 5 13 to have fun, make new friends and to play a bit of netball.

An anticipated 1500 participants will come from as far away as Canada, Jamaica and England. A large contin gent is expected from Australian and New Zealand clubs. Pacific countries, including Fiji and Samoa, will be there too, playing under the “Golden Oldies” motto “fun, friendship and frater nity.”

Sponsored by Air New Zealand, the event was organized to coincide with the festival. With a budget of SNZ2 million, the whole operation has taken two years to set up.

Alan Dumpleton, the sponsor’s organ iser says, “The only pre-requisite is to be over 35, have a sense of humour, want a holiday and play the game like they used to.”

He admits, that while some may be slower, there is no shortage of expertise.

Many participants are still active as referees or coaches.

It all began for the Cook Islands, 10 years ago when Blake happened by a

pamphlet advertising the “Golden

Dldies.” Despite a negative reaction

'rom the netball association, who “didn’t want to know”, Blake organized a team Df 28 from Avatiu Netball Club who went to Auckland for the first tourna ment.

“The concept of women over 35 from ill over the world getting together to )lay a game they enjoyed appealed and ve have not failed to send a team since” ays Blake with pride. “We’ve just gone rom strength to strength.”

Then, at the Vancouver World Fair ilxpo, to which the Cook Islands sent a earn of 68, it was tabled that they would )lay host. And six years later, it’s about

o happen.

Funds for the event have come mainly rom the tournament committee catering it various functions. The “Sportsman of he Year Award” alone brought in

'NZ67OO plus bar takings.

Each club has followed suit with its wn fundraising events. She says, Na ional Insurance, as main local sponsor

The only pre-requisite is to be over 35, have a S6HS6 Of hUmOUf, W3Ht 3 holiday 3fld play the game like they used to

has been more than generous. The fundraising highlight, however, was a beauty pageant with a difference in April that raised over SNZ 10,000 for Avatiu Club’s tournament entrance fees.

“We didn’t want the usual young glamorous beauties, but the mamas over 35 with inner beauty, humour and personality,” she says.

The winner of “Mama Humorous” was 48-year-old, Vaiene Katuke who took the place by storm. Wielding a sword at the judges, she appeaeed in a “killer” mask gyrating to the music of Michael Jackson.

The great thing about this event, and

the Golden Oldies event itself, says Blake, is the emphasis is on having fun, not winning.

“The Golden Oldies events have allowed the mamas to travel, some for the first time. Many had never seen a high rise building, Disneyland or window shopped in Hawaii before these events.

For two weeks they leave their families, their cares and worries behind, meet other women and have a ball!” she laughs.

“This time,” says Blake “it’s our turn and we’re really going to show them some Cook Islands hospitality. Ten years ago no one wanted to look at us, now we are hosting the biggest sporting event ever.”

At the main venue, Raemaru Park, the refurbishing of the 16 courts has been funded by the village in under two years.

There are four brand new astral courts and six new hard grass courts.

“We’re going to put the Cooks on the map and upstage the Festival. It takes a woman to run something like this!”

laughs Blake.

While that may be so, with Tina Brown as director, June Baudinet in charge of finance and Kopu Brown on special events, Tere Aprau organising souvenirs and Teremoana Toru oversee ing those essential refreshments, men also have had their role to play.

Hugh Henry local tour operator and sports lover is in charge of grounds and transport.

Principles set out by the Air New Zealand Golden Oldie International Charter have been followed. The cater ing, booking of accommodation, organ ising of entertainment, first aid, trans port, publicity, program - not to mention the organising of the actual games themselves - has required a combined effort with Auckland-based Alan Dumpleton and his staff of eight.

But Hugh says it’s been well worth it.

The country will benefit financially.

Local women have also generated a spin off SNZ2O,OOO income by making flower and shell ai. Baskets have been ordered from Mitiaro and Atiu and 1500 pareu made.

The final word, however, must go to Blake. “It’s a celebration of women. We all know there’s life after 40!” □

Rosie Blake: There’s life after 40