A never-to-be-repeated event in Tauranga – putting three Dames in the same room to be interviewed Q&A-style by a TVNZ sports reporter – is coming up on May 10 to raise funds for the city's junior squash girls' teams.
Dessert with the Dames will dish up a star line-up of Dames Farah Palmer, Susan Devoy and Therese Walsh at Tauranga Girls' College from 7pm-9pm on May 10 in the name of charity.
Here, TGC alumni and TVNZ sports reporter Michelle Prendiville will unearth the Dames' inspirational stories for a good cause – girls' squash.
TGC teacher in charge of squash Linda Boubee-Hill says if you've ever wanted to meet three-time rugby world cup winner and captain, and university professor Dame Farah Palmer, here's your chance!
Rugby, squash, business
'Dame Farah was Black Ferns captain and in her 35 test matches they lost only once, securing herself a well-deserved place in the World Rugby Hall of Fame.”
Home-grown world squash champion, former race relations commissioner and ‘Treasure Island' contestant Dame Susan Devoy will also bring her wisdom and sharp wit.
'Dame Susan won the British open eight times. The year she retired held the Australian, British, French, Hong Kong, Irish, NZ, Scottish, Swedish and World squash titles.”
And if the thought of being chair of Air NZ during a pandemic makes you want to hide under the bed, come and hear from Dame Therese Walsh, a business leader who sits on multiple boards.
Linda, a squash coach and manager for TGC teams, who fully support this event, says Dessert with Dames was cooked up three years ago but shelved due to Covid-19.
'This event will raise funds for our elite junior girls – from Under-19s to Under-15s – who are keen to play squash in the Canadian Junior Open, then the US Junior Open, in December.
'Also funds will support the girls playing and representing their schools in the NZ Secondary Schools Squash tournament. TGC has one NZ secondary school team but also fields up to eight teams in BOP competitions.”
Three years' fundraising
'Some girls have been fundraising for three years, running holiday programmes, selling avocados door-to-door, running raffles, coaching after-school programmes and cleaning squash court walls.”
Linda says one elite team represents BOP, made up from a number of school and development teams.
'The Elite team's next competition is Quadrangulars in Northland against Waikato, Auckland and Northland. Then the NZ Open will be played in Remuera in the school holidays.
World junior selection
'Several of the team are in a development squad and up for selection in the World Junior Squash tournament. The NZ team will be named late-April.”
Linda invites readers to purchase tickets to the fundraiser.
Tickets are $65 each, with a complimentary drink and dessert or cheese board. To reserve a table, individual or group tickets, email: dessertwiththedames@gmail.com