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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 15, Issue 3 (June 1, 1940)

Oldest Active Sports Official in New Zealand

Oldest Active Sports Official in New Zealand.

Who is the oldest active sports official in New Zealand? My vote goes out to Jack Cusack, who carries out the duties of starter at the annual Labour Day sports gatherings in Wellington. Jack recently celebrated his 80th birthday! Sixty-three years ago Jack Cusack linked up with the St. Albans Cricket Club, Christchurch, and has never allowed his interest in the game to slacken. He has long been a stalwart of the Wellington Mercantile League Cricket Association, the organisation that has made great strides in one-day matches in recent years.

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Elected president of the New Zealand Women's Hockey Association a few days after its eightieth birthday, Mr. Cusack has had a long association with that branch of sport, having been selector, manager and coach for many touring teams in addition to carrying out the onerous duties of referee until he had passed his 75th birthday. Five years ago he was appointed one of the selectors to choose the New Zealand team to tour Australia.

In track and field sport Jack Cusack played a prominent part as administrator after ending his competitive days. He was Secretary of the New Zealand Cycling Alliance, the controlling body in the closing days of last century, and in that capacity was associated with the first Australasian cycling and athletic championships staged in New Zealand.

His association with sport did not end with those mentioned above, for he was a member of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, the Wellington Volunteer Fire Police, and for many years was handicapper and starter at Fire Brigade competitions.

By trade a hairdresser, Jack is unique among men of his profession … he is a good listener! Instead of doing the talking—and he can really tell you something interesting—this veteran prefers to do the listening, and few realise what a fund of anecdotes is possessed by this wonderful “young” old-timer.