Stewart McKnight has travelled around the world representing New Zealand in cricket and curling. Central Otago reporter Leith Huffadine talks to him about his experiences.
Ranfurly man Stewart McKnight is known for his prowess on the cricket field and on the ice, curling, but he has also received many accolades for his career after retiring from the field.
Having been a coach, referee, and administrator, 79-year-old McKnight is a life member and past president of the Otago Cricket Association and Otago Country Rugby, life member of the Blackstone Hill Curling Club, and past president of the New Zealand Curling Association, among other positions.
Q: How long has the McKnight family been in the Maniototo?
A: James McKnight, my grandfather, arrived in the area in the 1870s. He bought a farm at Blackstone Hill.
Q: Is there a lot of family still in the area?
A: There's not so many now. I was the youngest of five, and dad was the youngest of 12 so I had a lot of cousins ... There's still a few, [and I still have] family farming on the original farm.
Q: How important is the family?
A: Very much. I was the youngest by quite a wee bit and I was probably spoilt like hell. I lost my father very young. He was killed in a gold mining accident so I was looked after by my siblings.
Q: Were the family an influence on what sports you played?
A: It was always a big thing [for the family]. I was always just mad keen on sports.
Q: Did you have a sporting hero growing up?
A: Well, my brother played for Otago at rugby. I had all those rugby players in that '48 Otago Ranfurly Shield team who I looked up to. Jimmy Kearney was the local five-eighth for the All Blacks.
I was fortunate enough to be at high school for all those games when Otago held the Ranfurly Shield so that got me into rugby. I saw my first test match in '46 - that was Australia v the All Blacks at Carisbrook. I was 11. I've been right into it ever since.
Q: Was there any point in time where you thought you might represent New Zealand for a sport?
A: I think it was always in the back of your mind. I guess it was an inspiration.
Q: You played both rugby and cricket as a youth. How did the two work for you?
A: If people asked what sport I liked best I said rugby in the rugby season and cricket in the cricket season.
Q: Were those sports strong in the Maniototo when you were at school?
A: The three main sports were cricket, rugby, and curling when you could. Tennis - that was very strong in the summer here. But that has fallen by the wayside ,as well.
Q: Why do you think the popularity in sport has decreased?
A: I don't know. In the rural areas there's not the same numbers of young people available to play sport.
Q: When did you first play cricket for Otago?
A: My first selection on an Otago team, I played on an under-14 Otago team in 1948.
Q: What was next. Can you give us a time line?
A: I went to Otago Boys' High School in Dunedin from 1948-52. I played through the age groups; in '58-'59 was when I first played for Otago on the Plunket Shield team.
I also played for the South Island team in '53 against the North Island team. Rugby started right from primary school and the same with cricket.
I stopped playing rugby. I got smacked up a few times and took up reffing in its place. 1961 was the last time I played. I played curling as soon as I got home from school.
Q: Did you ever have any doubts about playing sport?
A: I always wanted to play sport. There were never any doubts, I don't think.
Q: Was it hard being from the regions when you were coming up?
A: It was pretty difficult. In those days we were playing on matting wickets and it was very difficult going to Dunedin and playing on slow grass wickets. [It was] a different standard of play.
Q: Did you get good support?
A: They [other cricketers] were great. My greatest hero in cricket would be Bert Sutcliffe and he was the captain of the Otago '58-'59 team.
He was the best cricketer and batsman I've ever seen. I might be a bit biased on that one. He was very welcoming.
Q: How important has sport been for you?
A: I have been round the world a few times and without sport I would not have. It's as simple as that.
Q: What were you doing during all this for work?
A: I was farming at Wedderburn. It was part of the family farm and I bought a wee bit more [land].
Q: Was becoming involved in the administration side of sports a logical step?
A: Well, it seemed to be, and I don't think I have ever done anything that I didn't enjoy. I would like to think things were done reasonably well.
It's no use sitting back and criticising things unless you try to do something yourself.
Q: Is it important for sports people to continue to be involved when they stop playing professionally?
A: I think it is - it's nice for them to be able to give back. When you are playing you get a lot out of it, and it's nice to be able to give something back.
Q: Are you proud of what you achieved?
A: I think so, yes. There are some things you could do better, there always are.
Q: Do you have a best memory or moment overall?
A: I think the highlight of my sporting career was the tour with the New Zealand Cricket Council side in 1964.
There was an article in The New Zealand Herald saying it was a fantastic tour that could never be repeated, because you never have three-month tours any more.
And the fact we played in 11 different countries was quite an experience. There were three of us who scored 1000 runs each. I think I celebrated fairly well.
Q: What about curling?
A: I did play in a New Zealand team [as] fifth player in the first selected team that went away to Japan in 1991. I'm still curling, and still bowling.
Q: How much have indoor facilities changed curling?
A: The skill level is remarkably higher now. When we were playing we thought we were pretty good but there was a lot of luck involved. Q: Is natural ice better?A: I enjoy both - I would not get into that argument.
Q: How big is your family?
A: My wife Shirley and I have two boys and a girl. Richard, the oldest, lives in Dunedin.
My daughter Kay lives in Dunedin as well. Ken is in Australia on the Sunshine Coast - it's good for a holiday.
Q: Did your kids play sport?
A: Ken played cricket for Otago, and Richard is a mad keen golfer.
Q: Any grandchildren?
A: Nine grandkids. The eldest boy in Australia is a useful cricketer.
Q: Is it important for young people to be involved in sports?
A: Oh, essential.
Q: Is there anything you would have done differently?
A: I don't think so.