Netball: Team playing to honour contribution and memory of valued member

Jean Fahey, the sister of the late Barbara Matheson-Smith, holds her photo and the team mascot at the Edgar Centre during the Masters Games. Other members of the Sophisticats team (from left) are Sandra Hotton, Jayne Gash, Julie Baker, Francie Sutherland, Judy Mackie, Carol Wilkinson, June Thompson, Bernie Calder, Lesley Dixon, Jenny Parata. Photo by Gregor Richardson.

The Sophisticats wore black arm bands and were playing for their missing colleague at the New Zealand Masters Games this week.

Barb Matheson-Smith, one of the key members of the North Canterbury netball team, died of cervical cancer a week before the Games started.

''We had breakfast with her on the Wednesday and she told us that we had to wear our team jackets at her funeral,'' June Thompson (49), a Christchurch primary school teacher, told the Otago Daily Times.

''She died on the Friday and the funeral was held in Rangiora the following Tuesday.

''Barb knew she was very sick but she did not want us to cancel our trip to Dunedin because of her.''

The Sophisticats came to their first Masters Games at Dunedin in 2000 and have travelled south every two years.

Eight members of the team have been to all eight Games and the newcomers were Francie Sutherland and Lesley Dixon.

Barb joined the team six years ago, and quickly became the team's organiser and booked the accommodation and the van.

''Barb was a hard worker and got us organised,'' Thompson said.

''She gave us all cups of tea in bed in the morning to wake us up.

''When we went out drinking she stayed sober and drove the van and made sure we got home safely. She was our rock.''

Sutherland, a North Canterbury physiotherapist, appreciated Barb's work: ''She was our valet. If anyone got injured she would drive us to hospital.''

The last happy moment with Barb and the team was in July when her 50th birthday was celebrated.

At noon on Sunday the Sophisticats sent pink balloons into the air outside the Edgar Centre to celebrate Barb's life.

''It's been a hard trip for us because we miss Barb so much,'' Thompson said.

''But she has made us strong and more committed to our friendship.''

When the Sophisticats first came to the Masters Games in 2000 they wore their club uniform and felt out of place when most of the other teams were dressed up.

They now wear their distinct pink coloured uniform and have made their mark on the courts.

''We play hard netball on the court and play hard socially as well,'' Thompson said.