design print deliver.

and future, thank you.

“I’m truly blessed to have played this sport in a place like Nelson.”

Before the ceremony at a fireside chat alongside his past teammates, he says the whole thing still hadn’t quite sunk in.

“It’s hard to explain, man.

“There’s two main legends of this city up there already and to be a part of that, I’m honoured,” he says.

“Nothing’s ever expected. It’s a blessing even to be asked.”

He says the retirement of his number isn’t just about him, it’s about everyone who’s been a part of his journey.

“It’s not just my jersey.

“When you come into Nelson, like I had done, there was a history of making it to the Tall Blacks. . . and as a young 17 year old coming down from Tauranga and learning the ropes from these guys. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

The culture of Nelson is what kept him coming back, saying “it’s who we are” that makes it

“the best place to play”. “It was us against everybody else. It’s head down, ass up and go to work, and that’s who Nelsonians are.”

The ceremony culminated a busy day for the NBS Nelson Giants as they posted their first back-toback win of the season to re-enter the playoff picture.

The 100-91 win over the Hawke’s Bay Hawks has bumped the Giants up to sixth on the competition ladder and into a playoff spot if they can hold their position.