Life Members of HBC Softball Club Inc
Rob Craigie
2012
Rob Craigie joined the Club in the 2000/01 season after relocating from Southland. At the time, his son was playing in the Under 8s, and Rob served as an assistant coach for the team while also playing for Northcote that same season. Back then, HBC had just four junior teams and was being run by a single dedicated individual, Stephen Ellison. Although Rob didn’t play in the 2001/02 season, he remained active as a coach and committee member. When HBC formed its first men’s team, Rob returned to the field while continuing to coach. He recalls the day Heath Walker attended a registration day, sat down, and initiated the conversation about starting a men’s team—an important moment in the club’s history. Rob has made significant contributions to HBC. He was the club’s first life member (awarded in 2012), its first senior North Harbour representative player (2007/08), one of its first North Harbour representative coaches (2008/09, serving as assistant to Neil Morrison, who was with the club at the time), and later became the North Harbour Head Coach for the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons.
Heath Walker
2013
Heath joined the Club in the 2002/03 season and was instrumental in helping establish a senior men’s team. In his first couple of years, he played while also coaching his children’s teams. In the 2004/05 season, Heath was encouraged to put his name forward for Club President — a role he accepted. Heath went on to organise the club’s first formal committee. Prior to this, the club had been managed by just four individuals: Rob Craigie, Mark Gardiner, Ian Spencer, and Murray Tricket (who was acting as President by default). This group made the key decisions for the club following the resignation of its founder, Stephen Ellison. When Heath began his presidency, the club had just six teams. By the time he stepped down in 2008, that number had doubled to 12, comprising three senior teams and nine junior teams. He returned as President for the 2010/11 season before stepping down again at the end of that term. In recognition of his contributions, Heath was awarded Life Membership in 2013, becoming the club’s second Life Member.
Wayne Branks
2016
Wayne Branks joined the club in 2004/5 and started as Coach of his kid’s team. He then moved into the Committee that same year. Over the years he has taken on many roles in the committee ranks. Wayne has been a Coach, Committee Member, Player within our club since moving up from Southland and never playing Softball. His commitment to Club and Orewa College from which we used as a breeding ground for HBC Softball was second to none. Wayne was awarded life membership in 2016 and is our 3rd life member. Wayne resigned from committee duties in 2017.
Ronnie Gurney
2016
Ronlynne Gurney joined HBC in 2005/6. Ronnie came to HBC with a wealth of Softball knowledge and changed the way the Club sourced funding. She has been a core member of our club since as Secretary and Chief Scorer bringing HBC up to speed with other clubs around player stats. Over the years Ronnie has been involved in organising many invents and helped us try our hand at the premier level of Softball with both genders. Ronnie was awarded life membership in 2016 and resigned in 2017. She is our forth life member and first female.
Marcus Walsh
2017
Marcus Walsh joined the club in the 2006/07 season. While he has never sought a management role, Marcus has always been a hands-on volunteer, ready to help wherever needed. His willingness to pitch in has made him a valuable part of the HBC community. Volunteers like Marcus are essential to the survival of small clubs like ours. Over the years, he has coached teams from Under 8s through to managing our social men’s team, which he has successfully kept running for many seasons. In recognition of his dedication, Marcus was awarded Life Membership in the 2017/18 season, becoming the club’s fifth Life Member.