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{{Short description|New Zealand international rugby league footballer}}
{{BLP sources|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2015}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
{{Infobox sportsperson
| honorific_prefix =
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Alan Sayers
| name = Alan Sayers
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM}}
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM|size=100%}}
| image = Alan Sayers.jpg
| image = Alan Sayers.jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| headercolor =
| headercolor = #b0c4de
| textcolor =
| textcolor =
| fullname = Alan John Sayers
| fullname = Alan John Sayers
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1915|12|06|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1915|12|06|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Onehunga]], New Zealand
| birth_place = [[Onehunga]], New Zealand
| death_date =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2017|08|19|1915|12|06|df=y}}
| death_place =
| death_place = [[Auckland]], New Zealand
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
⚫
| education =
| alma_mater =
| occupation =
| years_active =
⚫
| height =
⚫
| weight =
⚫
| spouse =
⚫
| module =
<!-- Sport -->
| country = New Zealand
| country = New Zealand
| sport = Athletics
| sport = Athletics
| module2 =
| module2 =
<!-- Achievements and titles -->
| nationals = 440 yards champion (1937)
| nationals = 440 yards champion (1937)
| olympics =
| olympics =
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| pb = 100 yards – 10.1 s<br>220 yards – 21.4 s<br>440 yards – 48.8 s<br>880 yards – 1:57<br>Long jump – {{convert|21|ft|9|in|m|disp=out}}<br>High jump – {{convert|5|ft|7|in|m|disp=out}}<ref name="Star 1941"/>
| pb = 100 yards – 10.1 s<br>220 yards – 21.4 s<br>440 yards – 48.8 s<br>880 yards – 1:57<br>Long jump – {{convert|21|ft|9|in|m|disp=out}}<br>High jump – {{convert|5|ft|7|in|m|disp=out}}<ref name="Star 1941"/>
| <!-- Medal record -->
| <!-- Medal record -->
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Men's [[Athletics (sport)|Athletics]]}}
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport| Men's [[Athletics (sport)|athletics]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{NZL}} }}
{{MedalCountry| {{NZL}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[1938 British Empire Games|1938 Sydney]]|[[1938 British Empire Games#Athletics|4 x 440 yards Relay]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[1938 British Empire Games|1938 Sydney]]|[[1938 British Empire Games#Athletics|4 x 440 yards Relay]]}}
| show-medals = yes
| show-medals = yes
| module = {{Infobox rugby league biography | embed = yes
⚫
|height =
⚫
|weight =
|club1 = [[Richmond Rovers]]
|year1start = [[1941 Auckland Rugby League season|1941]]
|year1end =
|appearances1 = 21
⚫
|tries1 = 19
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
⚫
|points1 = 57
⚫
|source =
}}
}}
⚫
}}
'''Alan John Sayers,''' MNZM (born 6 December 1915) is a former journalist, photographer and athlete who represented the New Zealand Herald prior to World War II. When the war was over he was invited to join the Auckland Star where he was the first reporter in New Zealand to receive a personal by-line. In 1953 he was an official journalist on the tour of Queen Elizabeth 11 to the Pacific Islands and New Zealand.
'''Alan John Sayers''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM|size=85%}} (6 December 1915 – 19 August 2017) was a New Zealand journalist, photographer and athlete who worked for ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'' prior to [[World War II]]. When the war was over he was invited to join the ''[[Auckland Star]]'' where he was the first reporter in New Zealand to receive a personal by-line. In 1953 he was an official journalist on the tour of Queen Elizabeth II to the Pacific Islands and New Zealand.


==Early life and family==
==Early life and family==
Sayers was born in the Auckland suburb of Royal Oak, the son of Mary and Horace Sayers, a builder.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH19151208.2.2.1 | title=Births | date=8 December 1915 | work=New Zealand Herald | accessdate=3 June 2015 | page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Electoral district of Manukau: general roll of persons entitled to vote for Members of Parliament of New Zealand |year=1914 |page=143}}</ref> He was educated at Royal Oak Primary School and [[Auckland Grammar School]].<ref name="Star 1941">{{cite news | url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS19410517.2.131.59 | title=Champion runner on league wing | date=17 May 1941 | work=Auckland Star | accessdate=4 June 2015 | page=3}}</ref>
Sayers was born in the Auckland suburb of Royal Oak, the son of Mary and Horace Sayers, a builder.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH19151208.2.2.1| title=Births| date=8 December 1915| work=The New Zealand Herald| access-date=3 June 2015| page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Electoral district of Manukau: general roll of persons entitled to vote for Members of Parliament of New Zealand|year=1914|page=143}}</ref> He was educated at Royal Oak Primary School and [[Auckland Grammar School]].<ref name="Star 1941">{{cite news| url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS19410517.2.131.59| title=Champion runner on league wing| date=17 May 1941| work=Auckland Star| access-date=4 June 2015| page=3}}</ref> His son, [[Greg Sayers]], is an [[Auckland Council]]lor.


==Sporting career==
==Sporting career==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2017}}


===Athletics===
===Athletics===
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===Rugby===
===Rugby===
Sayers won national 440 yards track title in 1937, represented Waikato in Rugby and played Rugby League for one season during which he scored a total of seven tries in a senior game on Carlaw Park, a record yet to be beaten. He also coached track athletes, a number of whom won national titles, broke records and represented their country.
Sayers won national 440 yards track title in 1937, represented [[Waikato Rugby Union|Waikato]] in [[rugby union]] and played [[rugby league]] for one season, during which he scored a total of seven tries in a senior game on [[Carlaw Park]], a record yet to be beaten. He coached track athletes, a number of whom won national titles, broke records and represented their country.


===Yachting===
===Yachting===
[[File:Auckland Grammar trophies.JPG|left|thumb|Auckland Grammar Trophies]]
[[File:Auckland Grammar trophies.JPG|left|thumb|Auckland Grammar Trophies]]
In the world of yachting he was chairman of both the Auckland P-Class and Starling Associations, the largest youth classes in New Zealand. As patron of the Manly Sailing Club, Whangaparaoa, he was partially responsible for the building of a new waterfront clubhouse including the raising of $70,000 towards its construction. He is also patron of the Hibiscus Coast Waterwise Society.
In the world of yachting he was chairman of both the Auckland P-Class and Starling Associations, the largest youth classes in New Zealand. As patron of the Manly Sailing Club, Whangaparaoa, he was partially responsible for the building of a new waterfront clubhouse including the raising of $70,000 towards its construction. He was also patron of the Hibiscus Coast Waterwise Society.
[[File:Naval Officer.jpg|left|thumb|Naval Officer]]
[[File:Naval Officer.jpg|left|thumb|Naval Officer]]


==Military service==
==Military service==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2017}}
At the beginning of World War II Sayers enlisted in the 9th Heavy Artillery Regiment but was seconded into the New Zealand Navy (special branch), where he served as an intelligence officer reporting on enemy activity in the South Pacific. He is a member of the Kings Empire Veterans and the Silverdale RSA and, in 2003, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to his country.
At the beginning of World War II Sayers enlisted in the 9th Heavy Artillery Regiment but was seconded into the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] (special branch), where he served as an intelligence officer reporting on enemy activity in the South Pacific. He was a member of the Kings Empire Veterans and the Silverdale RSA.


==Journalism and writing==
==Later life and death==
In August 2011, at the age of 96, he was entrusted by Sir [[Fred Allen (rugby union)|Fred Allen]], the only undefeated All Black coach with 37 games undefeated, to write his biography ''Fred The Needle'' which became New Zealand’s best seller during the week beginning August 29, 2011. He also gave the eulogy at Allen funeral at the age of 96. In 2014, at the age of 98, Sayers published his second book ''Deadline,'' which received wide publicity in the media, including a segment on the Seven Sharp national TV programme and articles in the NZ Listener, The Rodney Times and other publications. He [[centenarian|turned 100]] in December 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.localmatters.co.nz/Hibiscus+Matters/December/Arkles+Bay+identity+celebrates+100+years.html|title=Arkles Bay identity celebrates 100 years|publisher=localmatters.co.nz|author=Staff|date=November 30, 2015|accessdate=December 19, 2015}}</ref>
In August 2011, at the age of 96, he was entrusted by Sir [[Fred Allen (rugby union)|Fred Allen]], the only undefeated All Black coach with 37 games undefeated, to write his biography ''Fred The Needle'' which became New Zealand’s best seller during the week beginning 29 August 2011. He also gave the eulogy at Allen's funeral at the age of 96.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} In 2014, aged 98, Sayers published his second book ''Deadline,'' which received wide publicity in the media, including a segment on the Seven Sharp national TV programme and articles in the NZ Listener, The Rodney Times and other publications. He [[centenarian|turned 100]] in December 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.localmatters.co.nz/News/Hibiscus+News/Hibiscus+News+Archives/2015/December+2015/Arkles+Bay+identity+celebrates+100+years.html|title=Arkles Bay identity celebrates 100 years|publisher=localmatters.co.nz|author=Staff|date=30 November 2015|access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> and died in Auckland on 19 August 2017 at the age of 101.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://notices.nzherald.co.nz/obituaries/nzherald-nz/obituary.aspx?n=alan-john-sayers&pid=186458553|title=Alan Sayers death notice|date=24 August 2017|work=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=25 August 2017}}</ref>


==Honours and awards==
==Honours and awards==
In the [[2003 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|2003 Queen's Birthday Honours]], Sayers was appointed a [[Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit]], for services to sport and journalism.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/queens-birthday-honours-list-2003 |title=Queen's Birthday honours list 2003 |date=2 June 2003 |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=19 June 2020}}</ref>
⚫
As chairman of the Hibiscus Coast Action Committee he won a bylaw outlawing life-threatening nets set amongst swimmers in shallow water along the Arkles Bay foreshore, the only bylaw of its kind in New Zealand. His many services to the community have been recognised by an Athletics New Zealand Award, a Kiwi Bank Local Heroes Award, an Age Concern Senior Achievers Award and an Auckland City Council Award. On 6 December 2015 Sayers celebrated his 100th birthday and this was acknowledged the following day by the [[Auckland Council]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Acknowledgements and Achievements|url=http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2015/12/GB_20151217_MIN_5798.PDF|publisher=Auckland Council|accessdate=22 January 2016}}</ref>

⚫
As chairman of the Hibiscus Coast Action Committee he won a bylaw outlawing life-threatening nets set amongst swimmers in shallow water along the Arkles Bay foreshore, the only bylaw of its kind in New Zealand. His services to the community have been recognised by an Athletics New Zealand Award, a Kiwi Bank Local Heroes Award, an Age Concern Senior Achievers Award and an Auckland City Council Award. On 6 December 2015 Sayers celebrated his 100th birthday, which was acknowledged by the [[Auckland Council]].<ref name="Centenary">{{cite web|url=http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2015/12/GB_20151217_MIN_5798.PDF|title=Governing Body – Open Minutes|date=17 December 2015|publisher=[[Auckland Council]]|access-date=22 January 2016}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs = "Deadline - The Gripping Memoirs of a Pioneering Newsman"
{{Reflist|30em|refs = "Deadline – The Gripping Memoirs of a Pioneering Newsman"
By Alan Sayers
By Alan Sayers
Foreword by Sir Fred Allen
Foreword by Sir Fred Allen
Chapter: Life of Service
Chapter: Life of Service
Published 2014
Published 2014
ISBN 978-0-473-28018-5}}
{{ISBN|978-0-473-28018-5}}}}

{{1938 New Zealand British Empire Games team}}
{{Footer New Zealand NC 400 m men}}
{{authority control}}


{{Persondata
| NAME = Sayers, Alan
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = New Zealand sprinter
| DATE OF BIRTH = 6 December 1915
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Onehunga, New Zealand
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sayers, Alan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sayers, Alan}}
[[Category:1915 births]]
[[Category:1915 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:New Zealand sprinters]]
[[Category:New Zealand male sprinters]]
⚫
[[Category:Commonwealth Games competitors for New Zealand]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1938 British Empire Games]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1938 British Empire Games]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for New Zealand]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for New Zealand]]
⚫
[[Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics]]
[[Category:New Zealand journalists]]
[[Category:New Zealand journalists]]
[[Category:New Zealand biographers]]
[[Category:New Zealand biographers]]
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[[Category:Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit]]
[[Category:Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit]]
[[Category:New Zealand rugby union players]]
[[Category:New Zealand rugby union players]]
[[Category:Waikato Rugby Union players]]
[[Category:Waikato rugby union players]]
[[Category:Rugby union wings]]
[[Category:Rugby union wings]]
[[Category:Rugby union centres]]
[[Category:Rugby union centres]]
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[[Category:Rugby league centres]]
[[Category:Rugby league centres]]
[[Category:Rugby league wingers]]
[[Category:Rugby league wingers]]
[[Category:New Zealand sports officials]]
[[Category:New Zealand sports executives and administrators]]
[[Category:New Zealand centenarians]]
[[Category:New Zealand men centenarians]]
[[Category:People educated at Auckland Grammar School]]
[[Category:New Zealand military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 1938 British Empire Games]]
[[Category:New Zealand Athletics Championships winners]]

Latest revision as of 00:15, 24 November 2024

Alan Sayers
MNZM
Personal information
Full nameAlan John Sayers
Born(1915-12-06)6 December 1915
Onehunga, New Zealand
Died19 August 2017(2017-08-19) (aged 101)
Auckland, New Zealand
Rugby league career
Playing information
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1941 Richmond Rovers 21 19 0 0 57
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportAthletics
Achievements and titles
National finals440 yards champion (1937)
Personal best(s)100 yards – 10.1 s
220 yards – 21.4 s
440 yards – 48.8 s
880 yards – 1:57
Long jump – 6.63 m
High jump – 1.70 m[1]
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  New Zealand
Commonwealth Games
Bronze medal – third place 1938 Sydney 4 x 440 yards Relay

Alan John Sayers MNZM (6 December 1915 – 19 August 2017) was a New Zealand journalist, photographer and athlete who worked for The New Zealand Herald prior to World War II. When the war was over he was invited to join the Auckland Star where he was the first reporter in New Zealand to receive a personal by-line. In 1953 he was an official journalist on the tour of Queen Elizabeth II to the Pacific Islands and New Zealand.

Early life and family

[edit]

Sayers was born in the Auckland suburb of Royal Oak, the son of Mary and Horace Sayers, a builder.[2][3] He was educated at Royal Oak Primary School and Auckland Grammar School.[1] His son, Greg Sayers, is an Auckland Councillor.

Sporting career

[edit]

Athletics

[edit]
National 440 yards champion

While at Auckland Grammar Sayers competed in the 1934 Melbourne Centenary Inter-Collegiate Games and won a silver medal, becoming the second fastest schoolboy quarter-miler in the British Empire. In 1938, although recovering from a serious car accident, he competed in the British Empire Games in Sydney, winning a bronze medal as part of the men’s 440 yards relay team.

Rugby

[edit]

Sayers won national 440 yards track title in 1937, represented Waikato in rugby union and played rugby league for one season, during which he scored a total of seven tries in a senior game on Carlaw Park, a record yet to be beaten. He coached track athletes, a number of whom won national titles, broke records and represented their country.

Yachting

[edit]
Auckland Grammar Trophies

In the world of yachting he was chairman of both the Auckland P-Class and Starling Associations, the largest youth classes in New Zealand. As patron of the Manly Sailing Club, Whangaparaoa, he was partially responsible for the building of a new waterfront clubhouse including the raising of $70,000 towards its construction. He was also patron of the Hibiscus Coast Waterwise Society.

Naval Officer

Military service

[edit]

At the beginning of World War II Sayers enlisted in the 9th Heavy Artillery Regiment but was seconded into the Royal New Zealand Navy (special branch), where he served as an intelligence officer reporting on enemy activity in the South Pacific. He was a member of the Kings Empire Veterans and the Silverdale RSA.

Later life and death

[edit]

In August 2011, at the age of 96, he was entrusted by Sir Fred Allen, the only undefeated All Black coach with 37 games undefeated, to write his biography Fred The Needle which became New Zealand’s best seller during the week beginning 29 August 2011. He also gave the eulogy at Allen's funeral at the age of 96.[citation needed] In 2014, aged 98, Sayers published his second book Deadline, which received wide publicity in the media, including a segment on the Seven Sharp national TV programme and articles in the NZ Listener, The Rodney Times and other publications. He turned 100 in December 2015[4] and died in Auckland on 19 August 2017 at the age of 101.[5]

Honours and awards

[edit]

In the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours, Sayers was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sport and journalism.[6]

As chairman of the Hibiscus Coast Action Committee he won a bylaw outlawing life-threatening nets set amongst swimmers in shallow water along the Arkles Bay foreshore, the only bylaw of its kind in New Zealand. His services to the community have been recognised by an Athletics New Zealand Award, a Kiwi Bank Local Heroes Award, an Age Concern Senior Achievers Award and an Auckland City Council Award. On 6 December 2015 Sayers celebrated his 100th birthday, which was acknowledged by the Auckland Council.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Champion runner on league wing". Auckland Star. 17 May 1941. p. 3. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Births". The New Zealand Herald. 8 December 1915. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  3. ^ Electoral district of Manukau: general roll of persons entitled to vote for Members of Parliament of New Zealand. 1914. p. 143.
  4. ^ Staff (30 November 2015). "Arkles Bay identity celebrates 100 years". localmatters.co.nz. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  5. ^ "Alan Sayers death notice". The New Zealand Herald. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2003". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 2 June 2003. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Governing Body – Open Minutes" (PDF). Auckland Council. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
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