This is part of a series of articles which we are featuring in the lead up to Christchurch Netball Centre's Cententary in October 2021.

Netball Manager Megan McLay caught up with Silver Fern #23, Judy Blair, who shared her memories of the World Cups in 1963 and 1967.

World Cup 1963

Judy travelled to England for the World Cup with the 1963 NZ Basketball team (as it was known then) – 10 players 2 NNZ delegates, a coach, manager and umpire. They travelled by ship (Oranji) with the journey taking 3 months (6 weeks each way). They sailed from Wellington, stopping at Tahiti then through the Panama Canal, then stopping at Jamaica where they played and won 30-12, then Miami, New York before docking at Southampton. Training on board the ship was every day at 5.30am before the decks were washed down. Players were weighed on the huge ship scales every Friday. About 38 netballs were lost overboard practising in the mornings. Players had to be in their cabins at 9pm every night. Judy did say that the rules were more relaxed on the return journey.

[At the same time the All Blacks were touring England but of course they were able fly!]

The team toured the counties in England before competing in the World Cup Tournament in Eastbourne. In the final they lost by 1 goal to Australia.

At the conclusion of the tournament the NZ team toured the Lake District with the South African team.

World Cup 1967

Judy captained the next World Cup team in 1967 to the tournament in Perth. Four players remained from the 1963 team where they beat Australia by 6 goals. For this tournament the team was able to fly and had to take salt tablets to combat the heat!

Judy pictured holding a 1975 coaching certificate which is signed by Oonagh Shannahan who is a CNC Life member who will be turning 100 this year.

Centenary Celebrations 29/30 October 2021.

Article added: Thursday 21 January 2021