Ronnie Vance is a Christmas Day baby and as this festive season marks her 82nd birthday, the inspirational octogenarian shares she has no plans to get old any time soon.
While many of her peers are opting for more relaxed pastimes, every Monday morning Ronnie laces up her sneakers and takes to the basketball court, just as she has done for the past 65 years.
“I’ve loved basketball since my very first game, but it’s the friendships I’ve made that keep me coming back,” says Ronnie, who stumbled across the sport in 1957.
Then 17 years old and a milliner’s apprentice at the iconic Auckland department store Smith & Caughey’s, she wanted a break from the detailed work of hat-making.
“I wasn’t used to sitting all day long, so one afternoon I walked to the YWCA up the road,” shares the mum-of-three. “I fancied fencing, but I couldn’t afford the fees on my apprentice salary of 2 pounds 5 shillings per week. They told me I could look downstairs and that’s when I first saw women playing basketball.”
At 1.6 metres (5 foot 3 inches), Ronnie isn’t your conventional basketballer, but she’s never been one to let her height hold her back and is still a fierce competitor.
“When I was younger, I was very fast,” she tells. “I just used to see the gap, and go to the hoop and could score 20 or 30 points a game.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 19, 2022 من New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 19, 2022 من New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Sweet SUCCESS
Delicious twists on traditional favourites
Calzone CRAVING
Anything you can put on top of a pizza can go inside these air fryer Italian turnovers
Kai & kindness - ‘OUR RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE'
The foodie and her brother have dished up a cookbook full of comfort
Kia Ora Dame! 'I HAD A BIGGER PURPOSE'
It could have taken a toll on her, but Naida's phone greeting started a legacy
Dame Hinewehi's healing haka - 'IT'S GOING TO CHANGE LIVES'
Beating a world record is personal for the music therapy founder
Unbreakable Mamie - 'I'M READY TO FAMOUS!' BE
The TV star and model is excited about what the future holds
Below Deck detective - CAPTAIN LEE'S SEA CHANGE
The superyacht hero's family tragedy has led him to navigate scary waters
Swings & roundabouts - OWEN'S BIG KID PROJECT
Playtime's a whole lot more fun thanks to the radio host
Haunted by tragedy - KATE'S SHOCK LOSS
The star is still dealing with the death of her dad when she was aged four
Top-secret royal plan - BRINGING HARRY HOME
Disillusioned with life in the US, the prince is reaching out to friends in the UK