Cricket Wellington is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Wellington Firebirds physiotherapist and manager David ‘Paints’ Painter at the age of 79.

During the 1999/2000 season Dave took on the manager’s role for the Firebirds and that of physiotherapist, a position that he held for ten years, starting when Vaughan Johnson was coach in 1999/2000 and then continued when Anthony Stuart took over.

He finished his role with the team in 2010 and is fondly remembered for his hard work, a trait  former players Chris Nevin and Luke Woodcock highlighted.  

“Paints was an incredible person," said Nevin.

"I still remember when my kids were little. He would be the first to pick up in the shuttle on the way to the airport for away games and I would be the second. Without fail he would always have a little bag of sweets for them and they loved seeing Mr Paints as they called him.

"The pain he inflicted on people with his rub downs were the stuff of legend, but he kept players on the park. He is very fondly remembered and will be sadly missed.”

Former Firebirds allrounder Luke Woodcock underlined fond memories of Painter.

"Paints was a great man, I always remember walking into the Firebirds dressing room for the first time and he was standing there with that big smile and he shook my hand to welcome me in," he said.

"He was as hard as nails and told it how it was but everyone understood where they stood with him.

"I once went on his table, never to return to a physio table in my career as the pain I was actually in after his famous rub downs turned me away.

"He will be greatly missed by all."

Painter had been a stalwart of the Upper Hutt Rugby Football Club since the mid 1970s and was integral in the recent merger between Upper Hutt and Rimutaka to form the Upper Hutt Rams.

Outside the club, he was a well-known identity in Wellington club and representative rugby. Over many years, he coordinated massage services for international, provincial and Super Rugby teams whenever they were in the capital.

Until last year, he continued to strap the Lions and Hurricanes and just last month he was massaging the All Blacks

He is survived by his wife Meryl,  three daughters, Stephanie and son-in-law Dave Rennie, Lynley, and Hayley, and grandchildren.

Article added: Thursday 05 November 2020