Neville Sandiford who is an ace on the croquet lawn. Photo: Supplied
After reaching his 100th birthday, Neville Sandiford decided it was time to tone down his competitive nature, although he is still the reigning doubles champion for croquet at his resthome in Kāpiti.
Sandiford is a gun on the croquet pitch and plays three times a week. He has been a member of a winning doubles combination for the past three years.
He is also an enthusiastic walker and swimmer and in the past has played bowls.
He told First Up he has always had a very competitive nature although it has tapered off a little since hitting the century mark.
"When I turned 100 I said 'slow down boy' so I don't do any competitive work now. I just go down for a game."
Taking up croquet in 2002 was his wife's idea, he said.
"As soon as I took hold of a mallet and hit one ball ... I knew that was for me."
He became so serious about the sport he had his mallet made to measure by an expert in Hawke's Bay.
Asked what was the best thing about his age, he replied: "The best thing about being 101, well, 102 coming up."
Sandiford is the latest in a list of centenarians keeping active in sport.
These include: 102-year-old Colin Thorne in Whangārei doing ParkRun, and legendary athletics coach Arch Jelley who, at 102, walks up to 4km a day.
