Excerpts taken from the 60th anniversary booklet by Molly Dorne

The earliest record of basketball (as it was known) in Horowhenua goes back to 1921 at the Levin District High School.  Miss G Armstrong, recently out of university, encouraged the girls to participate in the sport.  The teachers and girls marked a court on grass by turning over with spades the sod to mark the lines.  The first game against a visiting team in Horowhenua was the Levin District High School A v Palmerston North Girls High School A in 1922, at Levin.

It wasn’t until 1931 that the sub-association of Horowhenua was formed as a part of Manawatu and due to the increasing interest in basketball, an organised competition was needed. Wednesday and Saturday competitions were initiated. The game continued to grow in popularity in the district and the Association applied to the Levin Borough Council for the laying of two courts at the Levin Park Domain.  The courts were opened officially by Mayor PW Goldsmith.

In 1946 the games were transferred to Horowhenua College for the next 33 years before moving to Donnelly Park in 1978.  It was a wonderful achievement - a pavilion, courts with lights, nets surrounding the entire area, a great playing surface – a home for Netball in Horowhenua.

THROUGH THE DECADES

1930’s were a success story.  Growing interest and support meant more teams taking part.
1931 Two new courts at Levin Park Domain. Horowhenua players were gaining selection with Manawatu players in Rep teams.
1936 Horowhenua gained full Association status.
1937 First Horowhenua team to NZ Tournament.

1940’s. Horowhenua College enters competition.
1943 Tui Club joins. Mrs MacDonald retires after 9 years as President and becomes first Life Member. Miss Chapman-Cohen becomes President.
1945 Rep team ties for Third Grade honours.
1946 Runner-up Second Grade. All games move to Horowhenua College.
1954 Horowhenua Netball Umpires Association formed.

1950’s.  Miss Chapman-Cohen retires and is made a Life Member.  Miss Pillar returns to Horowhenua and becomes President. 
1954 Umpires Association formed.
1955 Foxton  re-affiliates with Horowhenua.
1957 Miss Pillar made Life Member.
1959 Molly Dorne is made Life Member.

1960’s. Muriel Vincent becomes President.
1966 Rep team ties for second place in Fourth Grade at NZ Tournament. Otaki College becomes part of Horowhenua competition.

1970’s.
1974 Waiopehu College enters competition. Horowhenua team wins Allen Challenge Shield, Fourth Grade NZ Championships.
1975 Reps play Third Grade NZ Championships. Horowhenua Netball Umpires Association 21st Birthday.
1978 Opening of Donnelly Park.
1979  Fence around courts completed. Merit Service Award Dinner.

1980’s.  Molly Dorne Tournament becomes and annual Rep fixture in Levin. Committee is set up for Junior Primary Netball.
1981 Golden Jubilee Celebrations and Merit Service Award presentations.
1983 Building extensions completed.
1984 Horowhenua wins Gisborne Cup for uniforms.
1985 Horowhenua runner-up Fourth Grade.
1986 Winners of the Allen Trophy
1987 Under 18 team wins C Grade at North Island Tournament. Golden Day Tournament and Springtime Tournaments introduced.
1989 Horowhenua becomes part of Central Districts Union with change from former status.

1990’s
1991 Our 60th Jubilee celebrations
1991 Horowhenua College a 2nd in Australian Tournament
1999 Gae Netten is awarded the NZ Merit Service Award

2000’s
Development of western Regional Entity, 1448 teams, 317 senior, 378 secondary, 753 primary from Taihape to Horowhenua
2001 Courts re-covered by Council
2003 Annette Lewis is awarded the NZ Merit Service Award
2006 The 75th Anniversary of Netball Horowhenua

Basketball to Netball….

1906 Basketball game introduced from Australia into Bible Classes by Rev Jamieson in Auckland, 7 a side, 3 bounces and/or throws permitted from one end of the paddock to the other, goals into a basket….

1914 Teams of 9 a side are played in many centres as a variation on the rules….
 
1938 First 7 a side game played, against Australia using English rules.
NZ still opts to play 9 a side local rules at home….

1958 Horowhenua plays its last 9 a side Basketball Tournament….

1960 International rules are adopted….
 
1970 Change of name from Basketball to Netball, referee name also changed to be called umpires….