A Netball History in Tasmania

The First Bounce

1900-2005
by Pauline Barker

REVIEWS

The Mercury

“This thoroughly researched and skillfully written history by Pauline Barker tells of an enduring commitment by dedicated women to winning recognition and public support for their sport. It is socially significant and intrinsically interesting work.
In a word it’s a gem”.
Warren Brewer

The Examiner

"Tasmanian netball has good reason to thank Pauline Barker for being disinterested in sewing. Barker’s involvement in netball (or basketball as it was known in my early days”) began at Riverside Primary School in the late 1960’s where pupils who did not make the school sports teams had to stay behind and do knitting or sewing.” There were times when I sat with the knitting needles in class hating every minute of it, because I did not reach selection that week”, she recalled. This unusual introduction began a 40 year old involvement in the sport in Tasmania as a player, umpire, administrator and now chronicler with her publication. Barker has achieved her aim of creating “ a bountiful knowledge in one volume” detailing the State’s netballing achievements spanning from Rosalie Parkes, the first Tasmanian to tour with an Australian team to Natasha Chokjlat making the unprecedented journay from Savage River to the national team. Constantly referring to her beloved sport with a capital “N” helps demonstrate how strongly Barker feels about it”.
Rob Shaw

The Advocate

"This is a book that sporting fans and netball fanatics need to buy. Pauline Barker has covered every aspect of the history of netball in the State over the past 115 years comprehensively. A fantastic celebration of the sport of netball, the book is well - written and well-organised"
Kate White