 This book is the first volume in a series and outlines the sporting legacy of some of New Zealand’s greatest athletes that took part in various sporting codes between 1912 and 1968.The book was written by Wilf Haskell, a dedicated sports lover who played senior provincial and international cricket and hockey between the 1950s and 1970s. The writer is a retired secondary school teacher who has devoted his retirement to researching and writing sports history.
He hopes to have the next volume out in the near future.
The book contains 11 chapters. Each chapter is dedicated to an athlete or team, covering a good part of their sporting life as well as the athlete’s upbringing and in some cases what they did after their golden sporting years concluded.
The publication kicks off with New Zealand’s first 1908 Olympic medallist - Walker Harry Kerr. For lovers of athletics it’s also a good insight into the Snell and Halberg era as well as Jack Lovelock’s life. The book concludes with the coxed rowing crew of Dick Joyce, Dudley Storey, Ross Collinge, Warren Cole and Simon Dickie, who won the gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.
Haskell’s research and understanding has provided some new and previously unrecorded insights into these champions. He also records their achievements in various tables throughout the publication.
Barry Maister (General Secretary of the NZ Olympic Movement) writes in the forward section of the book “These written profiles may prove rather to be a timely reminder that since the beginning of our sporting history, the country’s athletes have always competed against the odds and have proved to be courageous, creative and resourceful as they strive to be the best in the world.”
For all order enquiries please contact the author: Wilf Haskell, telephone (04) 388-7771 or email wilf.heather@xtra.co.nz Order forms will be posted if requested. |