At the 103rd Annual General Meeting of the Union Cricket Club this evening (7 Aug) at King George Park, club members unanimously approved a recommendation from the life members to elevate Robert Coates to life membership of the club. Robert was surprised when he received the award but commented later that he has enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow club members and the life time friendships that have developed over this time. Incoming club President Mike Ormandy said that it was "well deserved reward for a guy who has put his heart and soul into the Union Cricket Club for close to three decades".

His first season for the club was back in 1985 when he played games in both Third Grade with his brother David, and Senior Reserve. Two seasons later he made his senior debut and over his career he has played 135 senior games for the club, as well as many others in lower grades, as a top order batsman. Currently he sits 5th in the highest run scorers for the club in all grades and he has also taken the third highest number of catches for the club. From 1989 to 2004 he played in the annual Union Easter Tour matches in the Maniototo and has made recent pilgrimages as a supporter. A gusty competitor - he is well known to take body blows but then shake them off to face the next ball as if nothing had happened.

It wasn't just on the field that he has made a significant contribution to the club as he has been the clubs groundsman for 25 years. Such is his dedication to preparing the wicket blocks at King George Park one season saw him hand watering the pitches for over 20 hours a week due to watering restrictions whilst working his full-time job as a painter/decorator.

Robert becomes the 14th life member of the Union Cricket Club since it was founded in 1909 and the first since Peter Cameron was awarded life membership in 2008.
(August 2013 - Taken from Union C.C. press release upon Roberts elevation to Life member).