A talented left back, Greg Dayman first played for New Zealand in 1969, and had a variety of Olympic experiences. He was vice-captain of the 1972 Olympic team that finished a disappointing ninth and was named captain of the 1980 team that never played at Moscow because of the American-led boycott.
However, more than counter-balancing those memories was the fact that he won an Olympic gold medal in 1976.
By that time he was living in London to further his career as an architect, but the national selectors showed admirable foresight by choosing him for Montreal anyway.
There was a vast reservoir of experience in the New Zealand side by 1976. Of the team that went to the Montreal Olympics, Paul Ackerley, Thur Borren, John Christensen and Tony Ineson, plus Barry and Selwyn Maister, played for the University club in Christchurch, where they were coached by the astute Cyril Walter.
Besides the core of Christchurch players, others in the team with previous Olympic experience were Alan McIntyre, Trevor Manning, Dayman, Ramesh Patel, Jeff Archibald and Arthur Parkin.
The New Zealanders, coached by Ross Gillespie, caused a shock at Montreal by beating Australia 1-0 to win the gold medal. It was not a triumph easily achieved - they won a thrilling play-off match against Spain 1-0 just to squeeze into the semi-finals. There they caused an upset by beating the impressive Netherlands side 2-1 in the third period of extra time.
The final, a torrid affair, tipped New Zealand’s way when their captain, Tony Ineson, smashed home a penalty corner shortly after halftime.
Dayman took over from 1976 team-mate Thur Borren as coach of the Auckland University club side and was also involved in hockey at junior level.
He has for many years been a successful architect and eventually set up Greg Dayman Architects.
The 1976 hockey team was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

Greg Dayman

Medals

Biography

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