WBC Coach of the Year
NZ Force Harbour Breeze guard Noni Wharemate predictably took Most Valuable Player honours from the 2010 Women’s Basketball League … but the most popular accolades went to a pair of women twice her age.
Waikato Wizards coach Theresa Cargo was recognised (and received a standing ovation from all teams) for a contribution to women’s basketball encompassing a multitude of roles and spanning several decades. As well as guiding her team to the WBC semifinals, she was also rewarded as outstanding referee of this season’s opening round in New Plymouth.
But perhaps the unofficial inspiration to emerge from this year’s national competition was the re-emergence of legendary player Carolyn Grey, still banging bodies on court at the age of 56.
One of her Waikato team-mates was a school classmate of her grand-daughter.
Grey said age was just a number to her and she intended still playing into her 60s. She also told her younger rivals that it was their responsibility to represent their sport - women’s basketball - with dignity and that “professionalism” had nothing to do with money.
Her message was not lost her audience.
Wharemate had spearheaded her team’s defence of the WBC title, and was head and shoulders ahead of her rivals on court. Harbour’s Angela Perrott-Hunt took out coaching honours, guiding the Breeze home in her first season at the helm.
The full list of awards winners was …
Championship Winners
NZ Force Harbour Breeze
Plate Winners
Taranaki Trojan
NZ Force Most Valuable Player
Noni Wharemate (NZ Force Harbour Breeze)
All-Star Five
Suzie Bates (Oceana Otago Goldrush), Jody Cameron (NZ Force Harbour Breeze), Amanda Harris (NZ Force Harbour Breeze), Patrice McKenzie (Oceana Otago Goldrush), Noni Wharemate (NZ Force Harbour Breeze)
YMCA Rookie of the Year
Josie Stockill (Taranaki Trojan)
Studio 23 Coach of the Year
Angela Perrott-Hunt (NZ Force Harbour Breeze)
Manager of the Year
Carmel Cadzoe (Oceania Otago Goldrush)
Services to Women’s Basketball
Theresa Cargo (Waikato Wizards)
Championship Final Officials
Raelene Forde, Hayden Pipe, Melony Wealleans
Officials of the Tournament
New Plymouth - Theresa Cargo
Waitakere - Tim Brown
Dunedin - Hayden Pipe
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