Two well known cricket personalities have been recognised for their contribution to the game in the New Years Honours list.
Former New Zealand Cricket president, Don Neely and former White Ferns captain Haidee Tiffen have been recognised as Members of the Order (MNZM).
Neely was recognised for services to cricket. He played First-Class cricket between 1964/65 and 1970/71 for Wellington then Auckland. After his retirement from playing he went into cricket administration in a range of roles, including New Zealand selector, trustee and chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Museum, President of Wellington Cricket and a member of the Basin Reserve Trust. He’s also known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the game, which is spread over more than 30 cricket related books. The new scoreboard at the Basin Reserve was named after him in 2009.
Haidee Tiffen had an illustrious career as a player. She played 117 One-Day Internationals for the White Ferns, scoring over 2900 runs and taking 49 wickets. She also played two Tests and nine International Twenty20 games for the White Ferns during her 10 year international career. She represented Canterbury on the domestic scene, playing over 240 games across all formats for her province. She retired from the game in 2009 and took up the position as women’s development officer at Canterbury Cricket in 2010. Recently she has also tried her hand, successfully, at commentating.
Tiffen said it was a big surprise to be a recipient of a New Year honour. “It’s very special but it’s a nice surprise,” she said.
She found out about the award during show week and had to keep it a secret. “I finally told my mum on Christmas day and she was very excited,” Tiffen said. “I love being involved with cricket in New Zealand and to be recognised for my contribution is quite humbling.”
Tiffen said she is thrilled to be recognised in the same way as other well known female cricketers including Debbie Hockley. “It’s nice that women’s cricket is being recognised. I’m passionate about the women’s game and although I’ve finished my playing years I’ve still got a lot to offer,” she said. “I also want to thank New Zealand Cricket and Canterbury Cricket who have been very supportive of me during my career.”
Although it’s quite a big achievement to be recognised on the New Year’s Honours list, Tiffen said her friends and family are helping keep her feet firmly on the ground. “They are taking the micky a little bit and calling me ‘Lady Haidee’!” she laughed. “But at the end of the day I’m just a country girl from St Andrews.”
