Tilly Hirst

Tilly Titihuia Rangimatau Hirst (née Vercoe; 17 September 1941 – 4 June 2021) was a New Zealand netball player. She was a member of the New Zealand team that won the 1967 World Netball Championships.

Early life Hirst was born Tilly Titihuia Rangimatau Vercoe on 17 September 1941, the daughter of Ruhina and Raharuhi Vercoe. Of Māori descent, she was affiliated with Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuarā, and Ngāti Manawa.

Netball career At in height, Vercoe was regarded as being a tall netballer player in her day, and was known as a dynamic defender, playing as a goal keeper, goal defence or wing defence. In 1969, Vercoe toured Australia with the New Zealand netball team, with the two-test series being shared 1–1. Over her career, Vercoe played 19 international games for New Zealand. She was married to Peter Hirst, who died in 2013. The couple were active members of the Rotorua Baháʼí community, with Peter Hirst serving as the group's secretary.