SNN August 2019 online

EDITORIAL
you never know. So many of my mates
in those early rugby teams dropped
out of school soon after and went
down a different path… Little moments
change the course of a person’s life.
If you have the opportunity to
encourage someone, lift them up,
let them know they are really good
at something or can do what they
think they can’t, then don’t hesitate.
Do it. Do it now. Our CEO, Hans
Wouters, is great at this. At our session,
he paused to praise Brett Ladbrook
for being a person who can always
be counted on. It is a genuine
moment, where a good person is
praised for doing the right thing. We,
as Kiwis, don’t do that enough.
Life has a funny way of coming back
to meet you in the places you would
least expect. Only a few months ago,
I was back at my local rugby club for
an evening of touch rugby. Lo and
Behold. Who was on the opposition
team - my old teacher, Huddy. It had
been 20+ years since I had seen
him and he is still a legend. We had
a lot of fun during the game that
night - banter you can only have with
someone you have known for what
feels like a lifetime - and, afterwards,
we had a couple of beers in the
clubrooms to catch up. He asked
me about my neck - after breaking it
during a rugby game in 1997 – and my
recovery - I told him that I was lucky.
I told him where my career had
taken me – to the hallowed turf
of Augusta National, the revered
corridors of the Lord’s Cricket Club,
and the Black Caps changing room
after that win over South Africa in
the World Cup, or the hype and
hysteria of an Olympic Games.
We talked about my family. My
lovely wife and daughters who are
adorable. All unforgettable moments
in a lifetime of memories. All of it
made possible by someone who
believed in me. We polished off a
couple of jugs of beer and I was
feeling content. I gave my old mentor
a big hug and, as I left, said “Thanks
Huddy, for all you did for me, you were
awesome…” He shrugged and said
“No problem” as though it was no big
deal, nothing special. If only he knew.
“ All of us have the ability
to be that mentor. All
of us have the ability
to change the course
of someone’s life
Peter Thornton
The team building day in Christchurch, including
the Paint and Sip activity, was a great experience
for all of the NZST staff.
4
NZ Zpinal Trust staff at Paint and Sip
Rach Henderson enjoying painting