Greytown Fire Brigade station officer and firefighter Seth Rance. PHOTO/FILE
Proud to serve Greytown
ELI HILL
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An international cricketer since last December, Seth Rance has been recognised by his peers – in firefighting.
The Greytown Fire Brigade station officer has been named Fire and Emergency Sports Council’s sportsperson of the year for services to his brigade and excellence in cricket.
Earlier this year Rance made headlines around the world after his involvement in saving Greytown’s White Swan pub.
The Black Caps white-ball seamer found out he’d won the award a couple of days before Christmas and said he was proud to serve his Greytown community.
“It might sound sort of cliche but the satisfaction comes from helping people in need. That’s at the heart of why I do it.
“It’s something I’d always wanted to do. I joined when I was 16, which was the youngest you could join at the time, and I’ve been going 14 years now.”
As well as his Black Caps selection, Rance had a strong run as part of the Central Districts Stags and New Zealand A teams.
He made his T20 international debut against the West indies on December 29 last year and has played two ODIs and five T20 matches in his career so far.
The firefighter’s goal for 2019 is a continuation of what he’d started this year.
“I’ll be pushing hard and aiming for New Zealand selection. You don’t actually have that much say in the matter though, so the focus will be on the upcoming matches.”
Rance said that while the awards highlighted that there were strong sports people in the fire brigade anyone was able to join.
“I think we have this ‘fit man’ stereotype, but the reality is in small communities like Greytown you could be a grandad and join in.
“The fire brigade is for everyone, men and women. Not all the jobs we do are super physical.”
