We were deeply saddened to read of Ross Gillespie’s passing. He was the head coach of the New Zealand men’s hockey team that won the gold medal in the 1976 Olympics. He was 87.
Since 1958, Tack, as he is fondly known in the hockey community has represented New Zealand at two Olympics (1960 and 1964). He was also a vital member of the Canterbury team that dominated domestic hockey in the 1950s and 1960s.
Ross Gillespie Obituary
In the realm of field hockey in New Zealand, John Ross Gillespie MBE was a well-known personality. Gillespie, a gifted athlete who was born in Timaru on June 2nd, 1935, twice represented New Zealand in the Summer Olympics, in 1960 and 1964.
His reputation, however, goes beyond his playing career because he later found success as a coach, leading the New Zealand field hockey team to gold medal victories in 1976 and 1972.’
In the coveted Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award for his services to hockey, his contributions to the sport were honored in the 1977 New Year Honours. His perseverance and commitment to the sport he loved paid out in the form of this honor.
Gillespie, who was 87 years old when he died in Christchurch on January 29, 2023, had a long and fruitful life. He left a lasting impression on the field hockey community in New Zealand as both a gifted player and an effective coach.