We were saddened by the news late last week that Doug Catley MNZM, a stalwart of Wellington’s cricket community and a respected figure in both business and local governance, has passed away.
Catley, a Life Member of Cricket Wellington and formerly the Chair of the Basin Reserve Trust, his lifelong love of cricket was a defining feature of his life, and his contributions to the sport at both club and representative levels were immense. Doug was deeply involved with Karori Cricket Club, where he was a cherished member for many years. Though he never made it into the Premier XI, Doug’s passion for the game was unquestionable, and his commitment to the club never wavered. His best season came in 1962-63, when he captained Karori’s third XI to a third-place finish, scoring 388 runs at an average of 25.9.
As President of Karori Cricket, Doug continued to give back to the club, working alongside his wife, Jane, to organise social events and introduce the tradition of afternoon teas for players at Karori Park.
Doug’s most notable contribution to Wellington cricket came as the manager of the Wellington Firebirds during their golden era, when they claimed back-to-back Plunket Shield titles between 1981 and 1983. The squad, featuring some of the greats of New Zealand cricket—such as Edgar, Morrison, Coney, Taylor, Gray, McSweeney, Vance, and Chatfield—was a team Doug was incredibly proud to be part of, and he cherished the success they achieved during his tenure.
Beyond cricket, Doug’s career spanned various sectors, notably in business and public service. He was a founding director of Healthcare of New Zealand Ltd, where he took on the senior ambassadorial role, fostering relationships at both sector and governmental levels. He also held significant positions in governance, including Deputy and Acting Chairman of the Wellington Area Health Board and a member of the Council for the Wellington School of Medicine.
Doug’s public service will be held at Old St Paul's, Mulgrave Street, Wellington on 22 November 2024 at 1pm.
Article added: Tuesday 19 November 2024
