Southland Netball team for 1983.......

Doreen Lange - Coach

The Southland Netball team in 1983 was a mixture of experience and youth, with this combination they were looking to do well in Gisborne at the New Zealand championships.
This was only their second year back in first grade after spending ten years in second grade.
Being at the bottom of the grade means that they will face the tougher teams first, which could have been good for them as it would give them time to get a combination sorted.

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Julie Wilson played previously for the fourth grade Wairoa team from 1978 to 1980 and with her shift to Invercargill has been playing for the Ngawai team.  She was a keen team member who gave it 100 percent. Her play has continued to improve and she suffered no fools on the court.

Julie Wilson

Lynley Smith - Captain

The captain of the team Lynley Smith had represented Southland on and off since 1967 and she was no stranger to this sort of competition as she had been to eight national tournaments, and been a New Zealand U23 triallist in 1972.
Smith could play anywhere in the defence and it would be her experience and leadership that would be invaluable to the Southland team.

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It was Linda De Ruyter's second year in the team but in 1981 and even though she didnt get game time she would have got a ton of experience.
At 20 she had a lot of representative years ahead for her.  One of the tallest members of the team she would be invaluable in the defence line.  Linda played for the St Mary's club.

Linda De Ruyter

Vivienne Robinson

Vivienne Robinson was a reliable  mid courter who played mainly at centre.
She not only had the height but was very dependable and made few errors.
She was also the same as Linda and went to National tournament in 1981 but did not get a game.  She has played in all the age grade teams.  Vivenne belonged to the Brigadiers Club.

Pixie Raurimu

Pixie Raurimu was one of the team's veteran in 1983, after seven national tournaments under her belt. Pixie played for the Brigadiers club when she first came to Southland and transferred to Ngawai.
She also captained the South Island Maori team in 1977 and 1978. Pixie played in the attack line, but mainly at goal attack.  Pixie was a beautiful player to watch with her silky skills and cunning moves making her an asset to netball.

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Lynne McKenzie

Sue Pomare

Lynne McKenzie at 20 was
​ one of the younger one in age, but not in experience as she had been to National's twice in 1981 for Southland Country and also competed for the Southland U20 in the Rufflette Tournament.
Lynne thrived on pressure and was probably one of the fittest members of the team. She could read the game well and her hands never let her down.  Her shooting was also reliable.
She would be a valuable player for many years to come.  She was a very active member of the St Mary's Club and with her forward thinking  changed the face of Netball in Southland.

Sue Pomare played for the Brigadiers club in 1983 and was a novice in the Southland team. Sue played most of her club games at defence but would be in either the wing attack or centre position for Southland.  She was a natural all rounder.  She was not short of experience though and had played for Waikato in the U20 grade.  

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Vicky Taua also played for the Ngawai club and was another new cap for Southland.  A member of the 1982 Southland B team, Vicky brought experience from playing in the North Island representative teams.  

Vicky Taua

Teresa Panagiotidis

Teresa Panagiotidis was one of the younger members of the Southland Netball team in 1983.
Teresa played for the Brigadiers club and had shown good form there as well as last year's national tournament..
Coming from Indoor Basketball, Teresa had adapted her game well and was not overwhelmed with the responsibility of being the main shoot. With a good shooting stat she would be invaluable for Southland netball's future.
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Debbie Angus

Even though it was the first netball tournament for Debbie Angus she had constantly been in age group squads and also the Southland B team in 1982.  Debbie was very athletic and her resolve in the court made her hard to defend.  

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Mrs Doreen Lange said she was confident that the team would perform at tournament, but was not unwise to think that it would beat the top contenders.
Her main aim was to stay in first grade and build a nucleus for future years.
With the young players selected for the team,  gaining experience from this tournament, and mixing with the older players - they had a lot to learn and a lot to bring to the game in years to come.
Vicki Beardsley had been selected for the team early on but due to injury was replaced by Pixie Raurimu to cover the attacking line.
The way the tournament was structured meant that the bottom would be automatically relegated to second division which puts the pressure on, to not only win games, but ensure you score the goals and defend well in case it came down to a differential.

Reference:  Evans, Helen.  "Fitness and Stamina Crucial to Southland's Hopes" The                                       The Southland Times August 1983.