Four of New Zealand’s sporting legends have been inducted as Canterbury Cricket life members, at the association’s AGM.
The Hadlee brothers – Barry, Sir Richard and Dayle, as well as Debbie Hockley were formally recognised in front of the board at a private function at Hagley Pavilion.
Barry Hadlee said it was not only a fitting setting, but ceremony – being able to receive the life membership alongside his brothers.
“We played on the lawn together, we played club cricket together, we played rep cricket together, we played for New Zealand together,”.
“The fact we’re being honoured together, in this way, is very special,” he said.
That sentiment was echoed by Dayle, who is still an integral part of the club working as a pace bowling coach.
“It’s very special, I’m a true red and black and will be nothing but,” said Dayle.
The Hadlee roots run further than willows along the Avon. After all their late father, Walter, was a Canterbury and New Zealand representative.
“He’d be tickled pink the three of us are now being honoured in the same way he was,” said Sir Richard.
Hockley, a White Ferns legend, was also inducted as a life member.
One thing all four have in common: they continue to give back to Canterbury Cricket.
You only have to step outside the pavilion, to see the Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Centre, a $5 million multi-use complex that features five indoor lanes that are retractable.
The facility’s been a long-held dream of Sir Richard and former New Zealand teammate Stephen Boock.
“It’s for the kids first and foremost, club players, provincial players, international players, men and women, future White Ferns and Black Caps,” said Sir Richard.
He’s hopeful it’ll at least be partially open by the time the Women’s Cricket World Cup gets underway, despite a $1.5 million funding shortage.
In 2018, Hadlee was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and secondary cancer in his liver. Sir Richard told 1News being able to pour his energy into the facility, has been a welcomed distraction.
“It gave me a focus actually over the last three years and now it’s becoming a reality, and that’s why I want to be there on opening day.”
“I’ll probably have to bowl the first ball too and that frightens me a wee bit cause I don’t know what net the ball will land in, we’ll have to wait and see,” Sir Richard joked.
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