Annie Henry is celebrating winning the national croquet award that she helped initiate eight years ago.
Back then Annie was president of Croquet New Zealand, following on from the same role she had held in Nelson.
“We brought in the award because we wanted to recognise people for their contributions and making a difference to the sport,” says Annie.
She was nominated by her local region and admits surprise at winning.
Indiana-born Annie arrived in Nelson in 2001, and her background in education leadership, organisation and resilience made her a very welcome addition to the local croquet scene which takes in the Nelson Hinemoa, Richmond and Riwaka Croquet Clubs.
She’s held numerous roles at local and national level, was on the New Zealand board for close to 10 years, and at 77 is as busy as ever.
When the Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast Croquet Associations decided to amalgamate, Annie was shoulder-tapped to become the inaugural president last year.
“But I was quite happy to be the CMNWC secretary instead. With the amalgamation of eight clubs in the top of the South Island, you have to blend the different cultures to work as one region,” she insists.
Her work doesn’t stop there as she is the New Zealand representative involved in organising the 2027 Association Croquet World Championships in Wellington next January and February.
Annie has mixed administration with competing at a high level over the years.
She won the 2013 national golf croquet title and represented New Zealand at the world champs in Cairo the following year.
“I have never let my commitments stop me from playing croquet, but have had a sabbatical the last couple of months.”
She enjoys both association and the much shorter version of the game, golf croquet.
“One helps with skills for the other,” she quips, while watching some of her clubmates playing association on the Nelson Hinemoa greens.
