Basketball/Netball: Hoop sports to unite for cause

Markham Brown
Markham Brown
Otago's basketball and netball communities are tired of feeling helpless and have decided to organise a charity game to raise money for those affected by the Christchurch earthquake.

Whether that game is basketball, netball, or a fusion of the two has not been established.

But the Edgar Centre has come to the party and the match will be held on Sunday, March 20 at 5pm.

"We have not got any names locked in yet," Basketball Otago general manager Markham Brown said.

"But it is a call to arms."

In an email to the Otago Daily Times, Brown included a wish list which included former Netball New Zealand president Dame Lois Muir, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alison Shanks, dual cricket and basketball international Suzie Bates, Olympic sprinter Chris Donaldson, New Zealand discus champion Marshall Hall, former All White Mike McGarry and a couple of burly Highlanders to clog up the paint.

"It would be great if we get some of them on the court or even just to walk around with a bucket to collect money."

Wellington has planned a similar event, with five sporting codes uniting to raise money for the Christchurch earthquake relief fund.

The plan in Dunedin is to have free entry and to collect donations from people.

Netball Otago regional manager Nicki Paterson, who is helping organise the event, said she had talked to many people "who have said they feel kind of helpless down here, so anything we can do to help . . ."

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