Netball memories rekindled at Ahipara

"Just nothing can come close to renewing old friendships" and that was so apparent at the second annual reunion of Northland Netball Association held at Highfields in Ahipara on the last Sunday in May.

Hugs, laughter and some tears were all part and parcel of the day as stories of the good old days were shared with great hilarity and from the depths of old memories, surfaced many a tale.

The years rolled away, as memories were recalled and photos were viewed and reviewed.

"Where did you get that photo?", "What year was this one?", "Can you remember who she was?", "Wasn't this at Rotorua/ Napier/Blenheim/Dunedin?", "What about that hotel in New Plymouth?" etc.

The memories flooded back as we recalled the budget Northland Netball had to send our players to various national tournaments, and seeing Auckland and Wellington ensconced in the flashest accommodations while we were put up in B&Bs;!

Well, not quite, but the comparison was there.

We were privileged to have Dusk Dallas (from Otamatea) as part of our reunion.

A member of the very first Northland Basketball - as netball was referred to then - rep team in 1952, Dusk had everyone in fits as she recalled the journey from Kauri Territory to the South Island.

Hours of travel on trains, buses, ferries, more buses and two days later, time to don the playing gear and represent Northland.

The late Josie Murray, a very dearly loved and respected Mangonui netball identity, was also a member of this team.

We may not have had the numbers of the first reunion last year, over 20 compared with an estimated 60 or so in Whangarei, but the warmth and love of the gathering in such a perfect setting ensured that both of these two get-togethers are not going to be the last for this Northland crew.

Several apologies were made including some from Australia and various associations south of the Mangamuka, and the reunion for 2014 was now in the capable hands of the Northern Wairoa stalwarts.

And the words that begin this little write up, conclude it: "Nothing, but nothing can come close to renewing old friendships."

- by Ima Reid