Date of birth

Died

Marriage

Education

• Douglas School, Waimate
• Timaru Boys’ High School

Career

• Physical Education instructor with YMCA from 1933 at Palmerston North, Wanganui and Hamilton
• Joined Department of Internal Affairs (Waikato) in 1938 as Waikato organiser of the National Fitness Programme
• Senior Technical Officer, Department of Internal Affairs in Wellington from 1946 - 52
• In 1952, appointed supervisor of sports broadcasting with NZBC and pioneered live radio commentaries of Olympic Games at Vancouver in 1954
• Continued as Olympic broadcaster until 1972 and called several gold medal victories by New Zealanders

Sporting

• Timaru Boys’ High School – rugby, cricket, boxing, swimming, athletics
• In 1932 won mile walk in 7 mins 12.2 seconds (still stands in 1990) and equalled Olympian J E Lovelock’s mile (running) record in 1932
• Played senior rugby and cricket at Palmerston North, Wanganui, Hamilton and Wellington
• Played senior hockey at Hamilton
• Played soccer for RNZAF during Second World War
• Represented West Coast (North Island) at athletics and also was involved in swimming and men’s basketball
• After return from active service with RNZAF in the Pacific, founded New Zealand Men’s Basketball Association. In 1955 began long association with administration of Commonwealth and Olympic Games, firstly as basketball representative on New Zealand and British Commonwealth Games Association
• In 1957 appointed to Commonwealth and Olympic teams’ selection panel, later becoming chairman
• In 1960s won seat on International Olympic Committee and subsequently elected chairman of the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association

Honours

• Knight Bachelor in 1984 Queen’s Birthday List

War Service

• Commissioned Officer with Royal New Zealand Air Force during Second World War (served in Pacific Theatre)

Last updated: 16 Sep 2021