From Marten Bearda:
On 29th August 2011 Max died in a road accident aged 52.
He had just completed a training session with numerous kids in the Field Dreams Program and teaching what he loves – shot and discus.
Max was a well-respected coach to many junior athletes within the Counties Manukau Region. He was a great friend, mentor and coach to so many, including athletes and other coaches.
A major driving force behind many Counties Manukau Interprovincials Teams including 12-13 and 14-16 and U18. As one athlete put it, Counties Manukau Interprovincials will never be the same without him. You were the heart of every team, a great man and coach.
Max was also heavily involved as coach with the Papakura Athletics Club. He also did some work with the Counties Manukau Senior Track and Field athletes.
From Nigel Edwards:
It was sad to lose Max. There are few South Auckland athletes who do not know of Max or have been away on an Interprovincial team somewhere over the last 20 years.
There is little to add to the Courier article (see link below) except his assistance with Throw for Gold program. Max was one the original coaches of the program to find the new Valarie Adams and another Jacko Gill in South Auckland. He had dedicated 14-20 hours a week to this program over the last two years and, from a bunch of no athletes, now has 46 young throwers dedicated to achieving overseas standings.
With this in mind, the family decided to bury Max in his Throw for Gold shirt and his son also wore a Throw for Gold shirt at the funeral, which was held at this marae in the Waitako (also the name of his favourite beer). Over 80 old and present athletes attended the funeral, together with family and the extended family. After a short service he was taken up the hill behind the marae and was placed in the family grave, where tributes were given from family.
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