Bill Eldred has been actively involved in basketball in New Zealand as a player, coach, referee and administrator for almost fifty years.
The 1970’s saw an influx of American coaches to New Zealand. Hired by associations to raise the standard of basketball in New Zealand. Eldred was one of those early recruits.
1975 saw the first women’s club championships held in Masterton. Eldred coached the Wellington Marist Club to a runner-up position at this event.
In 1976/77 Eldred organised, what is believed to be the first weeklong live-in camps for both boys and girls in NZ.
In 1978 saw Eldred’s involvement in the women’s game at an international level. First as assistant coach to a 3-0 series win over a touring team from USA-based Lewis University. Then, again as assistant coach, against the Australian Women’s Basketball team in a World Games Qualifying series. Unfortunately, the then ranked 2nd Aussie women’s team dominated our women in a 3-0 win.
The 80’s and 90’s saw Eldred transition into administrative roles, most notably as the Manager of the Wellington Basketball Association. However, he still maintained one foot firmly on the court, playing for the NZ men’s team in the William Jones Cup in 1982.
In 1984 and 1985 he was the assistant coach for the NZ Junior women’s teams and in 2001 Assistant coach for the NZ WNBL Champions, the Wellington Swish.
Accepting the award on Bill’s behalf is Hilary Carr.
