New Zealand sailing icon honoured by school
by Richard Gladwell on 27 Aug 2009
The Takapuna Grammar School billboard Richard Gladwell
www.photosport.co.nz
One of the icons of New Zealand sailing, Ralph Roberts was today honoured to have a new building at his old school, named after him.
At an hour long ceremony at Takapuna Grammar School, on Auckland's North Shore, the New Zealand Prime Minister performed the formal naming ceremony by unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion.
Roberts attended the school for three years before leaving to join his father's electrical business, which started in 1928 and was sold three years ago after two arson attacks on the wooden building.
Frequent mention was also made of the contribution to the school of Robert's mother, Zella, now in her 105th year and looking 25 years younger. It was she who campaigned to stop the ample school grounds from being used for state housing in the 1950s.
Ralph Roberts started sailing in Bayswater close to the school, in Z-class, before teaming up with Geoff Smale to win the 1958 Prince of Wales Cup in the Int 14ft class. Then followed Olympic representation in the Finn class at the 1960 Olympics, in the FD class as a reserve in 1964, and as the FD representative, again skippered by Geoff Smale in the 1968 Olympics.
He was made Manager of the NZ Olympic yachting team in 1984, with team members winning Gold medals in two events and bronze in a third. He was the first Olympian to be appointed as NZ Olympic Team Manager, or Chef de Mission, in 1992, with the team again winning several medals.
Roberts has put a lot back into the sport, as Manager of the 1989 Admirals' Cup team. He also served a term as President of Yachting New Zealand, and is currently a Director/Board member of Yachting New Zealand.
In international sailing administration, he has served on two Olympic Juries as an International Judge, and was also an international Umpire. He is currently a member of the ISAF Review Board and an Area L Councillor to ISAF, as well as being a member of two of the international bodies Youth Committees.
Roberts is a past Commodore of the Takapuna Boating Club, and is currently its President. The Club recently staged four World Championships for Olympic classes from its new clubhouse at Takapuna Beach.
Roberts has been deeply involved in North Shore commerce in a number of activities over a long period of time.
He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by SPARC earlier this year.
Another block recently opened at the school, was named after Sir Peter Blake - another who attended Takapuna Grammar, and began sailing at Bayswater like Roberts.
Continuing the school's fine sailing tradition, Paul Snow-Hansen is currently competing in the 470 World championships lying in a very creditable 6th place overall.
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