Ranfurly curler gets life membership

Peter Becker has joined a selective group of living curlers to obtain life membership of the New Zealand Curling Association.

He joins five other living curlers, including his 94-year-old father to hold that honour.

New Zealand Curling Association president Darren Carson, who made the presentation last month, paid tribute to the length and quality of service Mr Becker had given to the sport.

Mr Becker has been the secretary of the Ranfurly Curling Club since 1981 and in 1989 became the club's delegate to the Naseby curling council. That same year he was appointed a delegate to the New Zealand Curling Association, and in 1995 was elected as secretary of the association. He continues to hold that position.

Referring to Mr Becker's skill as a curler, Mr Carson described him as a determined competitor who has achieved national representative honours and who has also served as a coach, manager, and co-selector for several representative teams.

"He has been a great mentor to many curlers and I know I have gained a lot from his advice," Mr Carson said.

In 1991 Mr Becker, from Patearoa, near Ranfurly, was skip of the first New Zealand team to compete in the Pacific championships, which were held in Japan.

He has continued his national representative role and as recently as this year was skip of the New Zealand senior men's team, which competed in Dunedin.

Despite being born with only one hand Mr Becker has participated in a variety of sports, including tennis, golf and rugby, and was for several years a rugby referee.

But to achieve the level he has in curling has demanded a considerable effort. Unable to hold his broom to keep his balance when delivering his curling stone he initially tied his broom to his arm, concealing that fact under a shinguard strapped on his forearm.

"Now I just tuck my broom under my arm, using it only for sweeping. I guess my balance can't be too bad," he said.

Typically playing down his role in Naseby acquiring the nation's first dedicated international indoor curling rink, Mr Becker said he was just in the right place at the right time.

"It was a happy circumstance that allowed me access to the World Curling Federation's funding for the rink.

"We obtained a grant of $120,000, which we don't have to repay, and a $70,000 loan, which we do. The rules have now changed and the World Federation will only give a loan of $25,000 per sheet (rink).

"We got in at the right time," he said.

Mr Becker said he was humbled to receive an award for a role that had brought him such enjoyment and satisfaction and he thanked his family for their forbearance in allowing him time away from the farm to pursue his sport.

- © Fairfax NZ News