Press Releases
SPARC pays tribute to sports broadcaster
18 Sep 2009
SPARC chief executive Peter Miskimmin says Garry Ward made an amazing contribution to sports broadcasting and sport in general.
Ward died of a heart attack at his Waikanae home on 17 September.
"Garry’s love of sport was all embracing with a commitment that extended from grass roots to the elite level," Mr Miskimmin said.
"He always went into an interview well organised and well researched. He really knew his stuff. He showed the same level of commitment whether it was profiling the local club or talking to a world champion."
"He was the sort of guy that even if he hadn’t seen you for 50 years, he’d cross the street to shake your hand and ask you how you were. Once you’d met him, he was your mate."
"He really was a larger than life character."
Garry Ward first got behind a microphone in 1958 and was Newstalk ZB’s weekend radio host.
He was a New Zealand softball representative and also played national league football. He worked as a sponsorship manager for New Zealand Breweries and was circulation manager at The Dominion newspaper. In 2008, he was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting.
Created | 18 Sep 2009.
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