Canty hockey coach dies

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 60

Canty hockey coach dies

Cyril Walter, the most successful coach in | Canterbury , hockey’s history, and regarded by] many as the best coach New Zealand has produced, ' died in Christchurch yesterday after a short illness. Mr Walter, aged 75, was a leader of hockey coaching in New Zealand. He dedicated his [life to the game and the pursuit of skill and his coaching and had a record that; few coaches, anywhere, in any sport, could match. ■ i Mr Walter, or “C.V.l’ as he was known in hockey, was the coach of ] the Canterbury team I in [the 1970 s when it enjoyed a fabulous run of success,

winning or sharing the Challenge Shield, the majotf trophy at the national tournament from 1970 to 1974. . . , Mr] Walter coached Canterbury from 1968 to 1981, | and in that period Canterbury played 209 games, won 183, drew 16 and lost 20. It scored 880 goals] and conceded 157. In | 1976 seven of the Canterbury team were members of the New Zealand side that won gold medals at the Montreal Olympic' final. Five [bf thgm played for the University club that Mr Walter ajlsoi coached. '. ,ji ; It was at club level that he had the most remark-

able record. He coached the University men’s senior team . from 1937 until 1987 and that period included 14 successive Championships from 1967 j to 1980. University last won the championship in | 1985. ] ■ Mr. Walter’s coaching expertise [' was sought i throughout New Zealand and overseas. Coaching was not Mr Walter’s only involvement with the sport. He was a New Zealand graded umpire and was also deeply involved in administra-. tion. He was a life 'mem-' ber of the Canterbury Hockey Association.