Photo Credit: New Zealand Cricket
Sir John Graham’s legacy to cricket and team management will be recognised by a trophy and annual scholarship named in his honour.
The man who played such a key part in the New Zealand men’s team revival through the late nineties, including the 1999 side’s famous 2-1 Test series win in England, is credited for pioneering the role of the professional team manager in modern cricket.
The trophy, made from pounamu sourced in the South Island, and the scholarship details, including honing management and industry-specific skills, was announced and unveiled today at a re-union of the 1999 team in Wellington, attended by Lady Shiela Graham – Sir John’s widow.
A panel including former 1999 team members and now NZC directors Roger Twose and Dion Nash will select an inaugural winner from applications received over the next year.
Sir John, a former All Black captain and renowned educator, played 22 tests for the All Blacks, including three as captain, and was president of the New Zealand Rugby Union from 2005 to 2007. He managed the New Zealand cricket team from 1997 to 1999.
The former Auckland Grammar headmaster, Auckland University chancellor, and Sir Peter Blake Award winner was knighted for his services to education and sports in 2011.
Current BLACKCAPS Manager Mike Sandle said it was timely to be recognising Sir John and the need for pathways into high-performance team management.
“Sir John set the standard a quarter of a century ago with his style and tone of team management and it’s appropriate that we’re both recognising him now, and exploring new pathways for aspiring team managers.
“The skills required in this type of role are specific and diverse and it’s important to have programmes through which our team managers of the future can develop their craft.”
Lady Graham said that while her late husband was best known in sporting circles for rugby, cricket was a sport that gave him great pleasure.
“Every summer Saturday from 1948 to 2000 he was on or around a cricket field from first ball until late afternoon,” she said.
“As a player in his school and club teams (captain 1st XI), as a coach, occasional umpire and later as a constant encouragement on the boundary he supported and promoted his favourite game.
“Later he took his part in school and club committees and provincial associations”.
Lady Graham said the invitation from then-NZC chief executive Chris Doig to manage the men’s national team from 1997 to 1999 provided Sir John with a hugely enjoyable chapter in his life story.
“It’s very fitting his legacy and enthusiasm can be channelled into our game again through promoting this splendid opportunity,” she said.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink was delighted the initiative would carry Sir John’s name.
“Sir John was a great cricket supporter, and he played an enormous role in pioneering what is now accepted as best practice for high performance team managers,” said Weenink.
“That his legacy continues to endure is a sign of the great man’s reputation and mana.”
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Name of Author: New Zealand Cricket
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
