Race starter has a lifelong interest in athletics
Knowing he has a 50-year connection with the Browns Sports Day makes Laurie Rewcastle smile.
The rising 70-year-old has been the starter of the running races at the annual sports day for 25 years after being a competitor in the 1970s-80s.
Athletics have been a big part of his life and he looks forward to officiating at the next Browns Sports Day on February 9.
Rewcastle owns his own starter’s gun which uses gunpowder caps.
There was more to the job than calling competitors into line and firing a gun, he said.
‘‘I learned rules and procedures from officials . . . you’ve got to let them [competitors] get settled and know how long you can hold them for.’’
By being the starter it’s enabled Rewcastle to continue contributing to the sport he has loved since his teenage years.
‘‘As long as my health allows me to keep going, I’ll keep doing it,’’ Rewcastle said. ‘‘I get on well with all ages in athletics.’’ Past presidents of the Browns Sports Day committee Iain and Lyn Lindsay said Rewcastle’s commitment to the event was appreciated by the organisation.
‘‘It’s amazing,’’ Lyn said.
Iain added Rewcastle’s 50-year involvement would be recognised with a presentation to him at the 121st sports day in February. The event was moved off its traditional date – the second Saturday in January – to February this year in an attempt to attract more people.
The changed worked with officials pleased with between 500 and 600 people attending.
Rewcastle reckoned he won 40 or 50 trophies at Southland track and field events from the 1960s to 1980s.
‘‘I used to run in barefeet in 10,000-metre races in the 1960s-70s.’’
He was comfortable running long distances without footwear but wore shoes when competing over 1500 metres.
Rewcastle received life membership of the Tuatapere Axemen’s and Athletics Association in 1971 while 13 years later, he became a life member of the St Pauls Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club.
For his work in track and field administration, Rewcastle was presented with a New Zealand Masters Athletics Service Award in 2014.
He stepped down from administration work about five years ago.