“It was a surprise and an honour.”
Scragg started playing hockey in 1987 for Manutuke and he's been involved in the game ever since.
He says it's a joy to watch players develop as they grow older.
“With the hours you put in, it's rewarding to see the young guys progress.”
He loves how the game can be played as you get older.
Unlike contact sports, hockey can still be played at a high level as your body starts to age, he says.
“You see players aged 17 to 60 in premiers.”
Scragg hasn't played for the past two years but he's still heavily involved with all things to do with Poverty Bay Hockey.
Achilles tendon problems have prevented him from getting back on the turf. He is waiting to see whether he needs an operation.
“Banter on the sidelines keeps me coming back.
“I miss umpiring the most. Nowadays I enjoy giving back and you get to know everyone.”
Scragg's life membership nomination from Shanna Hickling, on behalf of the Ngatapa senior women's hockey team, was a full page of bullet-pointed accolades, achievements and services to local hockey.
He has been a committee member for over a decade, developed the Poverty Bay Hockey website, has done the media and radio reports for two decades and has been nominated numerous times for local awards for his services to the game.
He's coached teams from primary school to senior women's level, including age-grade representative teams.
As a player, he's turned out for YMP, Caledonia and Lytton Old Boys.
Scragg said it was an honour to have his name on the life members' board, alongside the names of some outstanding people.
He thanked his parents for the ethics they instilled in him, and his wife and children for their support of his passion.
“My mother and father taught me the value of giving back to others,” he said.
“The support from my wife Penny, daughter Sian and son Aiden . . . we are a hockey family and they have supported me the whole way.”
He also wanted to thank the entire wider hockey community.
“Too many people to name have helped. We are one big family down here.”
