Media Release for immediate release Friday 12 October 2012

Sport Wellington unveils the new home of the Sport Legends of Wellington at the ASB Sports Centre, Kilbirnie.

Sport Wellington has unveiled 29 plaques honouring the Sports Legends of Wellington at a function at their new permanent location the ASB Sports Centre in Kilbirnie. The function, attended by many of the living Legends, close relatives of the deceased Legends, the Mayor of Wellington Celia Wade-Brown, and representatives from regional sporting organisations, saw tennis great and inaugural inductee Onny Parun cut the ribbon and open the walkway to the plaques, overlooking the Centre’s foyer.

Since its inception in 2003 the Sports Legends of Wellington programme has recognised icons of sport that have made an outstanding contribution as an athlete to sport in Wellington. The criteria for recognition is that they were outstanding Wellingtonian athletes and had been retired from top-level sport for at least 10 years.

The Legends are then inducted into the programme by Sport Wellington at the annual Dominion Post Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards. Until now there has been no place where the public can go to view these Legends and commemorate their achievements. New plaques will be added each year, following the induction of the new members at the annual Sports Awards.

Sport Wellington is grateful to the Wellington City Council and the staff at the ASB Sports Centre for their support in this project. Sport Wellington CEO Phil Gibbons says “it is appropriate that a venue which has been built to serve and support the community will be the home of the Sports Legends of Wellington. It is heartening to note that the many hundreds of children who weekly frequent that venue will now be inspired by the Legends who have gone before them.”

From Friday 12 October the public is invited to view the Sports Legends of Wellington on the mezzanine floor of the Sports Centre, during the regular opening hours of the Centre.

Full list of Sports Legends of Wellington:

Name Code Year Inducted
Onny Parun Tennis 2003
Barrie Devenport Distance Swimming 2004
Rebecca Perrot Swimming 2004
John Reid Cricket 2004
Dick Joyce Rowing 2005
Marilyn Marshall Softball/Football 2005
Eric Tindill Rugby/Cricket 2005
Billy Wallace Rugby 2005
Harry Kent Cycling 2006
Bill Massey Softball 2006
Ron Jarden Rugby 2007
Andy Leslie Rugby 2007
Jack Tynan Hockey 2007
Ross Collinge Rowing 2008
Alan McIntyre Hockey 2008
Trevor Manning Hockey 2008
Ted Morgan Boxing 2008
Ewen Chatfield Cricket 2009
Arthur Duncan Golf 2009
Meda McKenzie Distance Swimming 2009
Stewie Dempster Cricket 2010
Wynton Rufer Football 2010
Waimarama Taumaunu Netball 2010
Ken Gray Rugby 2011
Colin O'Neil Rugby League 2011
Graham Williams Rugby 2011
Margharet Matenga Netball 2012
Kathleen Nunneley Tennis 2012
Philip Rush Distance Swimming 2012

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