Derek Steward

Derek Steward
Personal information
Birth nameDerek Guy Steward
Born(1928-10-09)9 October 1928
Onehunga, New Zealand
Died12 October 2017(2017-10-12) (aged 89)
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportTrack and field
Coached byAlan Sayers[1]
Achievements and titles
National finals440 yards hurdles champion (1949, 1955)
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
Men's athletics
British Empire Games
Bronze medal – third place 1950 Auckland 4 x 440 yards relay

Derek Guy Steward (9 October 1928 – 12 October 2017) was a New Zealand sprinter and hurdler who won a bronze medal representing his country at the 1950 British Empire Games.

Early life and family

Born on Onehunga on 9 October 1928, Steward was the son of Albert de Bolton Peel Steward and Doris Steward (née Pilcher) of Paeroa.[2][3] He was educated at King's College in Auckland.[4]

Athletics

In 1946, Steward won the under-19 men's 120 yards hurdles title at the New Zealand national athletics championships.[5] He went on to win the senior national 440 yards hurdles title in 1949 and 1955.[5]

At the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland, Steward was part of the New Zealand foursome—alongside Dave Batten, John Holland and Jack Sutherland—that won the bronze medal in the men's 4 x 440 yards relay.[6][7] He also competed in the men's 440 yards hurdles: he won his heat in a time of 54.4 seconds,[8] but finished fourth in his semifinal and did not progress further.[9]

Death

Steward died on 12 October 2017.[10]

References

  1. ^ Watkins, Les (17 December 2005). "Sayers – 90 not out". North Shore Times.
  2. ^ "Death search: registration number 2017/29223". Births, deaths and marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Births". New Zealand Herald. 11 October 1928. p. 1. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  4. ^ "King's College wins". Auckland Star. 14 April 1945. p. 2. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  5. ^ a b Hollings, Stephen (December 2016). "National champions 1887–2016" (PDF). Athletics New Zealand. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  6. ^ "Derek Steward". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Athletics 4 x 440 yard relay – men Auckland 1950". Commonwealth Games Federation. 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  8. ^ "How Australians fared at games". The Argus. 6 February 1950. p. 16. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Athletics 440 yard hurdles – men Auckland 1950". Commonwealth Games Federation. 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  10. ^ "Derek Guy Steward death notice". New Zealand Herald. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  • Athletes at the Games by John Clark, page 128 (1998, Athletics New Zealand) ISBN 0473-05498-1


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