The voluntary service of John Stewart Grace

Amateur sport needs its role models. As an exemplary community volunteer, John Grace (a former civil servant in the Department of Health), provides a worthy example for all involved in supporting grassroots sport.

Perhaps his most valuable role over his many years of voluntary sporting service, was as Welfare Officer for the Wellington Rugby Referee’s Association. The title of the role itself suggested a level of altruism that went beyond simply volunteering his time in the pursuit of a sporting interest; rather it suggested volunteering his compassion to assist current (and former) members of the Association work through life’s issues, which were impacting on their own participation as sporting volunteers.

The Grace family were (and still are) Petone identities. John’s grandfather Martin, was a railway-shunter at the Gear Meat Company in Petone, while his father Frank (who also worked there in a clerical role), joined the Petone Rugby Football Club in 1933, and played as the Club's Fourth-Grade half-back. He instilled a love of rugby in John and his younger brother.

Like his father and brother Kevin, John was an Old Boy of St. Patrick’s College, Wellington and Petone Convent School. In his first year at College in the Sixth-Grade Rugby competition, John’s team did not experience a single victory, while in his final year at College, he was a member of the Fourth-Grade A team, which won only two of its 13 matches played that year.

John’s poor eye-sight and small stature meant he was not to be destined for higher honours as a player but following his College years he returned to the Petone Club, where he both played and volunteered his time in coaching the juniors. In 1963, John became the Membership Secretary for the club, a role he went on to hold for 44 consecutive years. 

Perhaps as a result of his Irish ancestry in Waterford, Ireland, the role of community in sport was always central to John’s participation as a volunteer both in rugby (and for the New Zealand Catholic Tennis Association). While his sporting destiny was not to achieve acclamation for his on-field performances, it was his behind-the-scenes work which provided the success for others, whose exploits were more publicly applauded.
Noted as a quiet and caring man, with an eye for detail, John was more interested in other people and their exploits, rather than his own.

John Stewart Grace (QSM) died on 16 July 2018.

Printed in the 22 July edition of the New Zealand Amateur Sport Association’s bi-weekly e-zine “For the Love of the Game”. To become a subscriber, visit www.asa.org.nz