A legend of Canterbury sport Keith Thomson sadly passed away on 26 January 2023.

Keith played both hockey and cricket for New Zealand and was one of the few people of having the honour of being a double international as he represented his country at two sports.

Keith played club hockey for the University of Canterbury under the legendary Cyril (C.V.) Walter and also for Hagley High School Old Boys alongside his brother Bill. Keith represented Canterbury at hockey from 1959 to 1974 and New Zealand from 1961 to 1971 including playing 28 tests. His stint in the New Zealand team included attending the 1968 Mexico Olympics with his brother Bill Thomson also being included in the team.

He also excelled at cricket with Keith being a legend of the Sydenham Cricket Club. Keith represented Canterbury in 71 games from the 1959-60 season through to 1973-74. In this time he made 5 first class centuries. He also played 2 test matches and had a very respectable batting average of 31 which included a high score of 69 v India in 1968.

After retiring from both cricket and hockey Keith became an international hockey umpire and a first-class cricket umpire (he was also the third umpire in a Test at the Basin Reserve).

Keith was extremely instrumental in revitalising the University of Canterbury hockey club after a period of very difficult years. Keith coached the team from 1993 to 2002 and saw the team climb from last in the competition to winning the Canterbury CPL Presidents Shield in 2000 and 2001. During this time he coached a number of players that went on to represent New Zealand and followed C.V Walter’s coaching philosophy of the importance of mastering the basic skills. However, the biggest impact he had on players was making trainings, games and the bar afterwards so much fun. He made hockey so enjoyable both on and off the field and created a wonderful team culture & spirit. This is what sport should always be about.

Keith was both a Life Member of the Sydenham Cricket Club and University of Canterbury Hockey Club.

He will be very much missed by his family and the hockey & cricket communities.

A celebration of Keith’s life will be held on 2 February with details to be noted in The Christchurch Press.

Written by Andrew Hastie

Photo Credit: Star Media