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Sports correspondent & historian with |
Sadness and happiness washed over this writer upon learning of the passing of Mount Maunganui Rugby Club legend, Terrence Riley Hurdle, on Wednesday, January 7, at the well-lived age of 84.
The sadness came from losing a mate, and the happiness from having enjoyed the friendship of one of the most unique characters I have ever met.
A good starting point to describe Terry is his own words about rugby, which played a huge part in his life, in a ‘People of the Bay’ story: “Right from a little nipper playing for Feilding Old Boys, I was a typical scrappy halfback. Always keen to get in amongst it and give those big forwards a rark-up.”
He was extremely passionate about three teams in the great game of our country. The Mount Maunganui Marlins stood a short head in front of the Bay of Plenty Steamers, followed closely by the All Blacks.
Terry had a unique personality that saw him continually volunteer countless hours in the community to help out and lend a hand. Enthusiasm could have been his middle name, and he was like an Energizer bunny when he was in help mode.
Terry and the love of his life, his wife Raewyn, arrived in Mount Maunganui during the 1970s.
He wasted little time signing up as a member of the Mount Maunganui Rugby Club and also joined the squash section as a playing member.
So began a half-century of service in the now Mount Maunganui Sports Club, in roles ranging from player, coach, manager, committee and board member, to patron and life member.
I first came into contact with Terry in my role as Western Bay of Plenty Rugby Sub-Union (WBOPRS) administrator in 2003, when he volunteered for the role of WBOPRS senior representative team manager.
That marked the start of an intense three-month period of interaction, with moments where our patience was tested to the limit.
Terry liked to be well-organised and could be on the phone to me as early as seven in the morning or late at night with requests.
However, he got things done. There was no better example than when he rang me and said he wasn’t sure the coach could get a side together for the Peace Cup final in Hamilton, after several opposition defaults.
My reply was: what would it take to ensure the sub-union had a competitive side on the bus to the title decider?
Terry came back from a team meeting with a request that a decent sub-union (alcohol) shout at the after-match function would probably ensure a full bus.
So it came about that I was presented with a $200-plus bill from the host club after our boys lined up for their first drink at the bar.
It never ceased to amaze me where Terry would pop up.
In 2012, New Zealand played Uzbekistan in a Davis Cup tennis tie at the Baypark indoor arena. Terry was there, telling me, “you’ve got to support the Kiwis in action” – that was the ethos of Terry Hurdle.
Terry will be hugely missed by the wider Bay of Plenty rugby community and all who came into contact with such a kind-hearted man.
Vale Terrence Riley Hurdle.