Heather Robson
MNZM
Personal information
Birth nameHeather Jean Redwood
Born(1928-05-06)6 May 1928
Auckland, New Zealand
Died11 October 2019(2019-10-11) (aged 91)
Auckland, New Zealand
Spouse
​
(m. 1953)​
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportTennis, badminton

Heather Jean Robson MNZM (née Redwood, 6 May 1928 – 11 October 2019) was a New Zealand badminton and tennis player.

Early life and family

Born on 6 May 1928 in Auckland, to Effie Redwood (née McLachlan) and John Addis Redwood, Robson was educated at St Cuthbert's College. In 1953 she married Jeffrey Ellis Robson, who also played international badminton for New Zealand. The couple went on to have one child.[1]

Sporting career

Tennis

In tennis Robson won both the New Zealand women's doubles and mixed doubles titles.[1] She competed at Wimbledon twice, in 1954 and 1957. In 1954 she reached the third round of the singles, third round of the doubles (playing with Judy Burke), and third round of the mixed doubles (with her husband Jeff). Three years later she progressed to the second round of the singles, quarter-finals of the doubles (with Ruia Morrison), and fourth round of the mixed doubles (again with husband Jeff).[2]

Badminton

As a badminton player Robson won seven New Zealand singles championships, and also won nine national women's doubles and three mixed doubles titles, playing with her husband. In 1954 she reached the semi-finals of the singles at All England Badminton Championships and won the Irish singles title.[1][3]

Administration

At various times, Robson served as president of Auckland Tennis, Auckland Badminton, Badminton New Zealand. and Badminton Oceania.[1]

Honours and awards

In 1988 Robson received a meritorious service award from the Badminton World Federation.[1] She was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to racquet sports, in the 2001 New Year Honours.[4] In 2013 the Badminton World Federation presented Robson with its lifetime achievement award.[3]

Death

Robson died in Auckland on 11 October 2019.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Taylor, Alister, ed. (2001). New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa 2001. Auckland: Alister Taylor Publishers. ISSN 1172-9813.
  2. ↑ "Players archive – Heather Robson". All England Lawn Tennis Club. 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  3. 1 2 Priestley, Lauren (28 June 2013). "Record holding player a fan of game for life". Auckland City Harbour News. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "New Year honours list 2001". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 30 December 2000. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  5. ↑ "Heather Robson death notice". New Zealand Herald. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
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