The NZ Ferns took centre court this morning at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre
Monday 7 November 2016
By Tristan Evert
Age doesn’t worry this New Zealand duo.
Two former New Zealand international basketball players took centre court this morning (Monday) at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre.
Dave Taylor and Kevin Baddiley have enjoyed long and successful careers in the sport and now find themselves at yet another Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games (JPPMG).
After captaining the Tall Blacks in 1969 and 1971, Dave said he’s glad to be participating in the event.
“For a few of us it’s our sixth appearance at the games,” Dave said.
“For me it’s just another opportunity to play the game I love.”
Taylor’s name is now etched in NZ basketball. Since 1984 the New Zealand National Basketball League Assist Champion receives the ‘Dave Taylor Trophy’ for the highest assists on average, per game, for the regular season.
The pair are competing for the NZ Ferns in the men’s over 65s division and Dave said the team begun to form at the 2002 World Masters Games in Melbourne.
“I gave Kevin a call and we knew a few people in Tasmania so I asked them to play,” Dave said.
“The hardest part is always getting enough players. We’ve lost a few along the way, however we’ve also picked up a few.”
Kevin also captained New Zealand, in 1965-66, and was named the Nelson Sportsperson of the Year winner the following season.
In today’s action, the NZ Ferns took on the Myths & Legends 2 and after a tight game, the Ferns lost in a last-minute thriller.
The 10th biennial Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games are being held 5-13 November, 2016, on the Beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
The event showcases competition in 43 sports and is hosting 13,000 participants from Queensland, interstate and overseas.
