Humorous and heartfelt tributes to writer, coach, friend

A man of many parts, a former bible class teacher, internationally successful athletics coach and award-winning sports journalist, Alistair McMurran remained, to the last, a humble, caring, quietly-spoken man.

Many colourful images of his life, including from some of the countless outdoor interviews he conducted while wearing his usual winter beanie, were displayed yesterday during a moving tribute to the late Otago Daily Times sports reporter  at the Edgar Centre yesterday.

And many memorable, wise, and funny stories about him were also recalled.

But it was fitting  it was other people, including close friends, as well as grateful sports administrators and ODT readers who spoke yesterday on behalf of a man who had spent much of his life thinking about and caring for others.

"Ali is an indelible part of the fabric of Otago sport, and will always hold a special place in my life," his close friend, former  athlete and rugby commentator Paul Allison said at the 3pm tribute event.

Mr McMurran’s influence on Otago sport and the wider sporting landscape had been "immense", Mr Allison said.

"I can’t think of anyone who has had a bigger impact on community sport in Otago than Ali over the past half century," he added in an interview.

"Ali always looked for the good in people and made people feel good about themselves."

In 2008, Mr McMurran was honoured with the Services to Sport award at the Otago Sports Awards Dinner, and, from next year, that award will be named the Alistair McMurran Services to Sport award trophy. He died recently while  on a walk near Mt Cook. He was 80.

More than 200 people attended the community tribute, and the gathering heard  Mr McMurran had played a crucial role, partly through his extensive reporting of athletics, in boosting Otago participation rates in athletics to among the highest in the country.

Tributes were also paid to Mr McMurran’s extensive contribution to covering Otago club rugby and his passion for the Highlanders.

Mr McMurran’s sense of humour and his enjoyment of less popular sports was reflected in his writing about an underwater hockey game he had attended.

He wrote in his match report that he had never before seen a game of underwater hockey, and that remained the case even after the game.

Mr McMurran’s passion for travel which prompted him to visit 200 countries sometimes  led to problems.

The gathering heard that one African country was  reluctant to let him enter because his passport gave "journalist" as his occupation. In another country he had been unexpectedly detained by the authorities for several days because a foreign currency declaration form had not been filled in, despite not having been available at the airport.

Mr Allison said  since he had met Mr McMurran in 1975, he had become his "coach, mentor, neighbour and dear friend".

"He was a like a surrogate father to me and probably to so many others."

"He was humble, wise, caring, generous and always so very positive."