Passing of Sue Jacobs
Passing of Sue Jacobs
July 2012
We have also lost one of the stars of the game in Susan Jacobs who was finally beaten by a degenerative disease which ended a sporting life of real excellence.
Susie played softball at top speed and represented Auckland and New Zealand with distinction. She was a member of the star Metro squad and was always the centre of the team’s sparkle and sporting style. Positive and charming, Susie made friends throughout the game. Her first game for Auckland came in 1969-70 when the team won the nationals and repeated the following season. She played for Auckland for eleven straight seasons and took the double in 1970-71 when Metro won the nationals. In1972-73and in 1974-75 Susie was named Auckland player of the year and she played for New Zealand in 1976 and in1977. Her form was still holding in 1979 when, like John Rydwanski and Warwick Rodgers in 1984, she was a non travelling reserve for the world series in El Salvador. It was almost her last year at the top. Auckland won six titles in her first seven years in the team, one of the golden periods of the women’s game in the city. Metro finished second four times in the national women’s series in her time, facing the best women’s softball in the sports’ NZ history. In the winter she starred for the Metro women’s soccer/football side and played for Auckland and New Zealand, becoming one of the rare group of double internationals. She never shirked a tackle or a chance to shoot for goal. And Metro was her club. She was a total fan on and off the field. She and Don Williams continued their player coach relationship off the field, always supporting Metro, and the club and sport lost out as her physical condition continued to fade. But her vitality and sporting style will remain in the memories of her many friends and admirers........Trevor Rowse
July 2012
We have also lost one of the stars of the game in Susan Jacobs who was finally beaten by a degenerative disease which ended a sporting life of real excellence.
Susie played softball at top speed and represented Auckland and New Zealand with distinction. She was a member of the star Metro squad and was always the centre of the team’s sparkle and sporting style. Positive and charming, Susie made friends throughout the game. Her first game for Auckland came in 1969-70 when the team won the nationals and repeated the following season. She played for Auckland for eleven straight seasons and took the double in 1970-71 when Metro won the nationals. In1972-73and in 1974-75 Susie was named Auckland player of the year and she played for New Zealand in 1976 and in1977. Her form was still holding in 1979 when, like John Rydwanski and Warwick Rodgers in 1984, she was a non travelling reserve for the world series in El Salvador. It was almost her last year at the top. Auckland won six titles in her first seven years in the team, one of the golden periods of the women’s game in the city. Metro finished second four times in the national women’s series in her time, facing the best women’s softball in the sports’ NZ history. In the winter she starred for the Metro women’s soccer/football side and played for Auckland and New Zealand, becoming one of the rare group of double internationals. She never shirked a tackle or a chance to shoot for goal. And Metro was her club. She was a total fan on and off the field. She and Don Williams continued their player coach relationship off the field, always supporting Metro, and the club and sport lost out as her physical condition continued to fade. But her vitality and sporting style will remain in the memories of her many friends and admirers........Trevor Rowse