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Olympic
Gold Medalist Opens New St. Peter's School Hockey Turf Event Photos>> |
20 August 2005
by Peter Cawkwell
Secretary General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee,
Barry Maister opened the new St Peter's Hockey Turf today.
Barry was a member of the New Zealand Hockey team which won a gold medal
at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. He was selected for New Zealand
teams that competed at Mexico City in 1968, Munich in 1972 and Montreal
in 1976.
Barry joined the NZOC after six years as Rector of St Andrews College
in Christchurch. Prior to that he was headmaster of Riccarton High School
for eight years and prior to that he had spent 15 years at Christchurch
Boys High rising to the position of Deputy Principal.
Barry has coached hockey teams to New Zealand Junior level and is a member
of the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted with the 1976
Olympic hockey team in 1990.
After congratulating the School Board, Principal Steve Robb, Works Manager
Don Buchanan, and Board Property Chair, Hugh Waugh, Barry addressed the
player students present.
"I would love to think there was a future Olympian here today amongst
you..."
Barry Maister in dugout, opening the new turf.
• reflect on the cost of the venture and the sacrifice made to fund it.
• respect the facilities and the surroundings and it will last for 15 years.
• above all, improve your skills by practicing daily on the turf. It is not winning that will get you to the top, but skills.
Barry made mention that the two public hockey turfs in Wellington were believed to be the most used pieces of real estate per metre in Wellington. Hockey is rapidly expanding as a sport, and is recognised as such by SPARC.
2005 Boys 1stXI Hockey Team played an Old Boys team in an exhibition match for the visitors.
A plaque dedicating the Opening is at the foot of the stairs by the dugout.
A view of the magnificent kaikatai reserve. A fitting backdrop to the new hockey turf.
Development Officer Di Baker, with Principal, Steve Robb.
The boys check out the new hockey turf.
Simon Makgill, Chairperson, St Peter's Board.
Teacher, Bruce Richards, sets up the first goal for the old boys visiting team in the opening match.
Entrepreneur and Board Member, Hugh Waugh, with wife Cherry-Lynn at the opening ceremony.