Quiet runner new Harriers president

When Hatea Harriers open their doors for the winter season on Saturday, they will have a new president.
The quiet and unassuming  Neville Bassett  replaces Colin Smith, an equally popular and able advocate for the Hatea Club and for athletics in Northland.
Bassett grew up in Auckland and moved to the Kaipara district in 1979. Although interested in running, he was, for a long time, reluctant to join a  club. As a casual runner, he competed in the Auckland Round the Bays  in 1977 and ran his first Kerikeri half marathon in 2003 in the  respectable time of 1hour and 41 minutes. His best half marathon time was 1:34 in 2005, when he ran the Huntly half.
Bassett has since run 15 half marathons but so far only one full marathon - the  Athletics Whangarei Marathon in 2008, when he covered the 42.2km in 3:37.
In 2002, he ran for the Homeworld team in the last marathon relay run on State Highway 1. This event was organised by Steve Trass, from the Hatea Club and, in 2003, Bassett eventually became a member of the Hatea Harriers.

 "Right from the first day when I was greeted by the then club captain, Ken Maclean, I was made welcome and put at ease," Bassett said.
Bassett was impressed by the competitiveness of the members, their camaraderie and at all the fun they had. The club and the running community became a big part of his life. He was elected to the committee in 2006 and was club captain from 2007 to 2009.
He is proud to serve as club president.
"It's a challenge and an opportunity to represent my club on a different level," he said."
"There are several old hands on the committee to make sure I keep up to the mark."
Hatea Harriers winter season open day,  meet at the Onerahi Central Cricket Pavilion at Kensington Park, 1.30pm.