Lifetime of soccer service recognised | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

One of the most remarkable records of service to local sport was celebrated when Alan Fraser, of Rangiora, received a lifetime achievement record from Mainland Football last week.

Fraser, 74, recently resigned from the Mainland board because of ill health after 55 years in soccer administration.

He started in the Canterbury Junior Football Association in 1952 as a 19-year-old when Atlantis (now Cashmere), the club he joined after leaving Christchurch Boys' High, wanted to develop a junior section.

That began a service to the JFA that ran until 1981, and he's also been chairman of the CJFA and NZJFA. He was chairman of the Canterbury FA from 1982 to 1984, and then moved to Auckland as Auckland Soccer's CEO for the 16 years to 2000.

He's also been president of the NZ Women's Association, and joined the Mainland board in 2002.

However, it's some of his work at less exalted levels that has given him the most satisfaction - particularly getting soccer established as a sport in North Canterbury.

He started the Rangiora club in 1965 when he advertised and four or five people came to his house for a meeting, and played for the new club himself for a couple of seasons.

A highlight of his career was receiving the MBE in 1978 for his services to sport.

Had it not been for the support of his family in earlier years, he could not have done what he did, he said.

"My wife Loris cut the stencils and reeled off the draws for the JFA in the 50s on a Gestetner."

While he's bowing out of administration because of ill health after four strokes, Fraser, with six grandchildren playing (including three for Rangiora) will continue to be busy every Saturday watching on the sideline. He's also helping out at the Mainland office one morning a week advising them on the misconduct reports.