Cambridge-born Gaye Bezzant is to get the home-town sporting recognition she deserves.
Bezzant will be inducted into Cambridge’s presigious Sports Walk of Fame later this year, after a lifetime of sporting achievements. It will mean an official event to honour Bezzant and the unveiling of a new plaque in the heart of the Cambridge township later this year.
Bezzant’s will be the 41st plaque to be unveiled, recognising Cambridge sporting stars in codes ranging from ploughing to polo.
Bezzant, who has lived in the Cambridge area her whole life, was an international soft-ball representative from 1955-1965, including a stint as vice-captain in the 1964-65 season. She also represented Waikato in softball, netball, basketball and golf and was a well respected coach across a number of codes.
Bezzant is the first new person to be inducted into the Sports Walk of Fame since 2018 when rowers Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, BMX star Sarah Walker, squash champion Joelle King and outstanding sportsman Doug Mienie had bronze plaques added to the footpath in Duke Street.
Waipa mayor Jim Mylchreest said he was delighted to see Bezzant honoured, especially given her talent and dedication across a multitude of sporting codes.
“She was the ultimate all-rounder, talented across a range of codes. This recognition has been a long time coming but Gaye will now rightly take her place alongside other Cambridge sporting giants. She has earned her place and I’m thrilled that her achievements will publicly celebrated and honoured in this way.”
Bezzant’s nomination was assessed by a working group made up of Mayor Jim Mylchreest, Deputy Mayor Liz Stolwyk, Cambridge Community Board Chair Sue Milner, Councillor Mike Pettit, 2014 inductee Amigene Metcalfe and community representatives Kevin Burgess and John Bishop.
