Colleen Lindsay. Photo supplied.After more than 60 years involvement with local basketball, Colleen Lindsay is finally taking a back seat.

Given the mileage she has racked up, she has probably earned a chance to ease off.

The longtime basketball administrator and coach has decided to step down from committee duties with Basketball Mid Canterbury.

Fellow operators Pauline Paterson and Helen Williams have also opted to vacate their posts, in what will leave a massive hole within the organisation.

“Between the three of us we’ve pretty much covered everything,” Lindsay said.

“There’s lots of young people who have put their hands up.”

Earlier this year, Lindsay was awarded Mid Canterbury’s Robilliard Trophy for services to sport.

Lindsay was part of Mid Canterbury’s original basketball incarnation in the mid-50s, and has continued her involvement in basketball ever since.

She admits her step down had been on the cards for a while.

“I was going to do it last year,” she said.

“I got talked into staying.”

2020 rolled around and Lindsay admitted to having mixed feelings about it all.

“I was undecided right up until the last minute, but I knew I had to do it.

“It’s a funny feeling, and I don’t know if I’ve come to terms with it.”

“But I won’t have to go to meetings in the middle of winter.”

A longtime whiz on the sewing machine, having previously hemmed the rep uniforms, she said she was still going to take care of this responsibility.

Indicative of how basketball has come to hold a significant place in her life, she would plan her holidays around basketball tournaments around the country.

“That went on for years, even after I was married, I always went to tournaments in the winter.”

Lindsay was also part of the representative team who hosted Australia in 1960, which remained a highlight of her involvement.

“We billeted them because there was no such thing as staying in hotels.

“The girl who stayed with me, we’re still in touch.”

There is plenty that will keep her occupied heading into 2021.

Lindsay is an advocate and coach for Special Olympics, and is in negotiations around funding and administration.

Furthermore she has “half put her hand up” to look after the miniball youngsters.

With the sport being so intertwined for most of her life, it is easier said than done for the seasoned campaigner to cut off from the sport.

“If there’s a tournament or anything they can call on me to help control.

“Just because I’ve stepped away from the committee I haven’t fully stepped away from basketball.

“I never will …. I still have a key.”

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 1 January 2021