Hall of Fame features three heroes
Roger Cox will inspire his own grandchildren, along with other youngsters, as one of the first three people to feature in South Taranaki’s new Sporting Hall of Fame.
Cox won the sheep shearing world championships in 1977 and also won the Golden Shears in 1977, 1978 and 1980.
He is being inducted along with James Hunter (rugby) and Adine Wilson (netball) at the TSB Hub in Hawera on Friday evening. His family, including grandchildren, will be there in support.
‘‘I’m delighted and I feel honoured to be in this first group,’’ he said. ‘‘There are probably quite a few people who qualify for the hall of fame from South Taranaki.
‘‘My grandkids play rugby and they go to the Hub quite a lot. In years to come this will be quite nice for them.’’
TSB Hub manager Mark Mekalick said the selection committee received a large number of high quality nominations and narrowing it down to three was extremely challenging.
James Hunter was a member of the Originals All Blacks team from 1905-1908. He captained the All Blacks on eight occasions and still holds the record for the most tries scored on one tour when he scored an astonishing 44 tries in 24 matches.
Adine Wilson won the world champs with the Silver Ferns in 2003 and also captained the Silver Ferns when they won a gold medal at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006.
‘‘It was amazing reading the histories of our nominees. It really hit home that South Taranaki has produced some extremely talented sports people. All three of the sportspeople being inducted have achieved great success in their chosen sport.’’
He said two more inductees would be added every year for the next four years, then one new name each year from then on.
Mekalick said the Sporting Hall of Fame project had been in the pipeline since the TSB Hub opened. There was space for at least 30 names.
‘‘The displays, which will be in the main thoroughfare, are going to be quite large and will be a key feature of the facility. The Hall of Fame is going to add another inspirational dimension to the TSB Hub,’’ he said.
The Sporting Hall of Fame is a partnership between the Hawera Rotary Club, the main funders, and the South Taranaki District Council.