With thirteen years playing for his home team, the Canterbury Wizards, Sir Richard was easily one of the most well-known cricketers of the 1980s. His highly publicised career, prolific cricket speaker commitments and national coaching support, mark him out as both an icon and idol for New Zealand cricket fans.
His long run at Nottingham County Cricket Club helped to make him a popular name in the UK, extending his sports speaker commitments onto a global level. Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009 Sir Richard played a part in a number of successful New Zealand Test matches against England throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s; most notably the historic first win garnered by the team in 1978.
In his work as a cricket speaker, Sir Richard reminisces fondly of his experience as a player on both a domestic and international level and shares captivating insights into the changes and developments taking place in cricket during this renowned era.
Sir Richard’s contribution to cricket was recognised early on in his career when in 1980 he was awarded an MBE in 1980 and a Knighthood ten years later.
Now a dedicated after-dinner speaker Sir Richard works tirelessly to help encourage and develop young sportsmen and women with his charitable fund, The Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Trust, providing underprivileged young people with an opportunity to pursue the sporting or cultural ventures they love but might otherwise not be able to take part in because of some hardship they face.
