Parbu Parsotam, Fraser Tech Hockey Patron.
Parbu Parsotam became our Club Patron in 2008. He proudly acknowledges what an honour and a privilege it is to represent the Club in this special role. He regards Fraser Tech Hockey as one of the best clubs in the region, putting that down to the calibre of the people who have been involved in its organization, as well as the many willing volunteers who have made an equally valuable contribution since the club was formed 80 years ago, in 1934.
Parbu was born in a small town called Navsari, near Bombay, India. He was only 12 years old when he came with his 14-year-old brother to live in New Zealand, where his father had been living since 1926. His father had left his family behind, coming to New Zealand to seek a better life for them. Some of Parbu’s cousins were already here too, working in market gardens in Otahuhu.
When his father first arrived in New Zealand, he couldn’t speak any English so was faced with the difficulty of finding work and learning a new language. His ambition was to save enough money for the rest of his family to follow him and make a new home for themselves in New Zealand.
In 1949, Parbu and his brother finally set off from Bombay to Sydney on a P&O passenger ship. it was a time of great excitement and there was a sense of adventure. However, the long, one-month journey to Sydney was quite tiring. There wasn’t much to do on board the ship and they had to amuse themselves. Apart from the sadness of having to leave their mother behind and not knowing what lay ahead, the boys mainly enjoyed the experience. On arrival in Sydney, they stayed for three days at the YMCA to rest and recover, along with several other families who were also hoping to make New Zealand their home.
Parbu’s most vivid memory at this time was the feeling of “just wanting to get there”. He had no idea of what to expect on arrival and they could hardly wait to see their father again. Fortunately, the next part of the journey by seaplane to Auckland took only eight hours.
By this time, their father was working in Hamilton in a greengrocer’s shop which he had bought in 1945 – things were going quite well. Hamilton had a population of just 18,000 people, including only three other families from India who were living here. It was a very different place in those days; they could only keep in touch with relatives sadly left behind by writing letters.
Parbu settled in quickly as a pupil at Whitiora Primary School mainly because of his love of sport, which the principal, Mr Whillan encouraged him to get involved in. No one in his family had ever played hockey before. It wasn’t until 1953, when Parbu started as a pupil at Hamilton Technical College [now Fraser High school], that he decided to join a hockey team. It was at this point that his love and enthusiasm for the game began to flourish.
Parbu gives special thanks to one of his teachers, Frank Foster who played for New Zealand against a touring Indian team in 1936. He took the boys under his wing and was a positive role model. Their skills and confidence improved remarkably under his guidance.
During the summer, he also played cricket for Tech Old Boys at senior and senior reserve levels. Parbu feels his lifelong passion for hockey and cricket has made him a better person and reaped many rewards, including the enjoyment of playing with “a great bunch of guys” and getting to know so many friendly people from all walks of life.
After leaving school in 1956, Parbu joined Fraser Tech Hockey Club at the age of 18. In those days, there were only two senior men’s teams, called ‘Tainui’ and ‘Arawa’ – Parbu was in Arawa. There was no official coach to manage the team so this job was left to the captain. Parbu’s favourite position was at inside-right, or centre-half, but later on, as his skills and experience grew, he could play anywhere. Their games were played on Saturdays, usually at Steele Park in Hamilton East, where they trained each week. The team also participated in many 5-a-side and 7-a-side tournaments which took place all around the Waikato region.
There was also a lower-grade team of younger players called the ‘Colts’, who were allowed to ‘play up’ if the men’s teams were short of players.
Once a year at Anzac weekend, Fraser Tech men’s teams took part in a Tech / Old Boys tournament with many club teams taking part, including players from Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North and Whanganui. It was a friendly, social event and they all looked forward to the challenge of playing each other.
Parbu also fondly remembers playing both hockey and cricket for the Waikato Indians team over four decades, from 1955. This period marked the beginnings of Parbu’s love and enthusiasm for both sports. The Waikato Indians played against other regional Indian teams, and the best players were then selected to represent the N Z Indians team. He also played hockey and cricket several times for the N Z Indians team,. They usually played once a year, at the end of each season, against other provincial teams. Today, the N Z Indians play mainly against other international teams.
In 1966, Parbu went on an overseas tour of Fiji with the Waikato Indians to play hockey and cricket.
The NZ Indian Sports Association (NZISA) was formed in 1954 and still holds a tournament every year over Queen’s Birthday weekend. At first, it took place either in Auckland or Wellington but as its popularity grew, the tournament expanded to include Christchurch, the Bay of Plenty, Pukekohe and North Harbour. What had started out as a friendly, social occasion, later became fiercely competitive and one of the highlights of the season.
From 1968- 1976, Parbu left Hamilton for business reasons and played hockey for Waipa and Piako but re-joined Fraser Tech in 1978.
Throughout those years, he played for the top senior men’s team until retiring from hockey in 2008. In the 90’s, while still playing hockey for a senior men’s team, Parbu coached the other senior men’s team. He also coached a Fraser Tech senior women’s team and his granddaughter’s team at Girl’s High school for one year, when they were needing help.
Parbu fondly recalls an overseas tour to Brisbane in October 1983, playing both hockey and cricket for a Fraser Tech team. They were in Australia for two weeks and had a wonderful time sight-seeing and making new friends. It was a purely social trip, as some of the team’s players were moving to live there permanently and they asked if the other players would like to go with them.
Fraser Tech Australian Tour Team, October 1983.
Parbu Parsotam – center of front row.
As a loyal and dedicated member for at least 50 years, he was deservedly awarded a Life Membership in 2002 for his long services and commitment to the Club.
Parbu was also selected to play representative hockey for Waikato from 1958-1976. They played about 24 games a year and travelled all over New Zealand. Once a year, a Senior Representative tournament took place and included players from Auckland, Wellington,Christchurch, Palmerston North, Manawatu and Central Districts. It took place in a different part of the country from one year to the next.
Parbu’s passion for sport never waned. He has done his best to support and encourage others to take part, including Arjun, his eldest grandson who plays with the men’s Reserve team. He sincerely believes in the importance of playing sport for people of all ages, recognising the many opportunities it has given him and his family since coming to New Zealand. Parbu says it has made a huge difference to his life, helping him to adapt and settle here more easily.
Congratulations Parbu on all your sporting achievements. Your story is truly amazing and an inspiration to everyone. Fraser Tech hockey is the true beneficiary of your most valued and longstanding contribution to our club.
Written by Maureen Taylor