NEW Zealander Norman Harris was trackside when his countryman Peter Snell broke the world mile record in 1962.

A renowned sportswriter, he chronicled athletics, rugby and cricket events across the globe for numerous publications including the Sunday Times , and also wrote over 20 books.

Norman, who moved to the Allen Valleys 15 years ago and became an influential figure at Allendale Golf Club, has died at the age of 75.

He served as the club‘s chairman, secretary, captain, and seniors’ section captain. Memorably, he sank two holes-in-one within weeks of each other.

Friend and fellow writer Robin Down, who played golf with Norman at Allendale, said: “He was booked in at our home for Christmas and we were looking forward to his annual quiz.

“The festive period will not be the same without him, nor life in general. Norman will be greatly missed.

“Deeply entrenched with this love of words he had a keen eye for the striking image, and the two came together in his passion for film, and he was for many years an active member of the Allendale Film Club.”

Born in January 1940, Norman grew up on a farm at Ngaruawahia, attended Hamilton High School and Auckland University, before starting work as a radio copywriter.

He joined the New Zealand Herald in 1959, and was captivated by radio reports of Murray Halberg and Peter Snell’s gold medals at the Rome Olympics the following year.

When Snell broke the world mile record at Wanganui in 1962, Harris was trackside at Cook’s Gardens to report on the moment.

He covered the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where Snell won the 800m and 1500m gold medals.

Norman is reputed to have first used the term ‘jogger’ using it in 1962, in a New Zealand Herald article about a new running club in Auckland.

A move to England beckoned in 1965, and Norman spent many years writing for the Sunday Times , as well as The Times and the Observer .

Norman, a keen runner and an accomplished orienteer, also covered the All Blacks’ rugby tour of Europe in 1972-73.

He also loved cricket, and covered matches well beyond the age of 70, attending Durham’s Riverside ground at Chester-le-Street.

His many books featured the likes of cricketer Herbert Sutcliffe, footballing brothers Bobby and Jack Charlton, and New Zealand opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa.

Around the turn of the Millennium, Norman moved to Allendale and invested much time and effort in the golf club, working hard to promote it and attract new members.

The golf club’s celebrations in 2006 were a notable highlight.

He also took a keen interest in the Music In Allendale scene, and was a frequent contributor to the Hexham Courant .

Norman died in hospital on November 20. While visiting friends in London, he suffered a heart attack after enjoying a swim, a cinema visit, and a meal at a restaurant.