Bardwell the Boxer

Our feature last month of Bernie Thomson and his past sporting activities brought to light the interest in boxing held through the years by Sam Bardwell. Sam, 83, who is now blind, lives in Kahutia Street, but is possessed of such a wonderful memory that not only can he tell you who fought who in Gisborne over the years but also where and when.

Sam was on the original Gisborne Boxing Association committee. The association was formed in 1910. In 1909 Sam Bardwell was one of the boxers who fought in the first tournament staged in Gisborne and it was this tournament of four fights which promoted great interest in boxing in the district. This in turn resulted in Gisborne producing some of New Zealand's greats in the boxing world.

After the First World War interest in the sport really got boxing under way and the committee from 1924 on contained some well known personalities. It included names such as Lissant Clayton (president), Otto Hansen, Tom Smale, Arty Heeney, Jack Heeney and Dr Rice among others. Sam Bardwell was in among this lot and also in his day saw all the Jack and Tom Heeney fights held in Gisborne. Just for the record Sam himself won the 1920 Gisborne featherweight title.

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Sam Bardwell, with Jack Heeney, coached the Marist Brothers boxing teams from 1928 to 1940. This picture, taken in the Opera House, shows the 1932 team. From left: Lou Patterson, Jimmy Griffin, Jack O'Donoghue, Hugh Honan (back), Ronnie Schollum, Don Cederwell, Father Dougherty (back), Len Schollum, Bernie Thomson, Jack Heeney, Sam Bardwell, Jim Egan and Dick Skeets.

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Sam Bardwell.

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d'Arcy Heeney, who emulated his father, Jack, by winning the N.Z. welterweight title three times.

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Tom Heeney pictured in the late 20s.

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Bob Statham who came to Gisborne in the early 1900s from Lancashire. He was prominent in the early days of boxing and was one of the first professional fighters in Gisborne.