Albert Royle Henry attended St. Stephen's College (Parnell, Auckland, NZ) from 1919 to 1923, during this period Albert was member of the College 1st VX Rugby Team also the Athletics Champion. While going to college Albert also boxed, he won the Auckland Bantam title. At the end of his schooling at St Stephen's College, he returned home to Rarotonga where he continued to participate in sports, playing Tennis, Cricket and Rugby, which were the sports being played on the Island.
In 1924 the All Blacks Team of Cliff Porter (Captain), George Nepia (Full Back) and other, called in at Rarotonga en-route to tour the UK and France. During that stop over they wanted to train against a local team, Albert Henry, just returned from NZ, was asked to get some of the local boys together to this training session. A few ex St Stephen's College members got together, Tom Crummer, Rev. T. Pittman, other like Piri Tepuretu, D. C. Brown plus the locals, a team was put together and the game was played on the Takamoa grounds. The score was Rarotonga 0 and the All Blacks 0. At the concluding umukai (feast), the All Black Captain, at the end of his speech, then presented a Rugby Ball to Albert Henry, saying, "MAKE IT WORK ALBERT".
Albert was the founding member of the following clubs, Tupapa-Maraerenga Rugby Club, Arorangi Rugby Club and the Avatiu-Ruatonga Rugby Club, between 1924 - 1927. In 1932 at the in-augural Kumete Sports competing for Avatiu-Ruatoa, Albet won the Men's 100yrd, 200yrd and Long Jump.
Albert returned to Aitutaki where he coached and captained the Aitutaki Island Rugby Team, 1933 - 1936. In 1935 the Aitutaki Rugby Team traveled to Rarotonga where they played each other, Aitutaki winning 21 - 3. Albert returned to Rarotonga where he continued to be involved in sports coaching and captain of the Avatiu-Ruatonga Rugby, Tennis and Cricket from 1936 - 1939.
1941 saw Alber and his family travel to New Zealand, from 1942 - 1943 Albert played Rugby and Cricket for Te Kauwhata. 1949 - 1950 was the Tennis Doubles Champion of Browns Bay, Auckland (partnered by his daughter Louise Graham). In 1954 as a fundation Executive Members and played for Auckland Business-House Cricket Association Inc. In 1965 Albert Henry was elected as Patron of the Auckland Business-House Cricket Association Inc.
Later that year, Albert Henry and family returned to Rarotonga, whereby he was elected as Patron of the Rarotonga Bolwing Club from 1965 - 1981. In 1975 established the "Champion of Champions" Rugby Trophy, also the "Premier's Shield", also in-augurated the "Albert & Elizabeth Henry Trophy" for marching at the Primary School Athletics Chamionships.
Albert Henry was very active in forming Rugby, Cricket and Tennis Club on Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Albert also was a teacher at Arorangi Primary School, Principle of Araura College. Albert Henry was married Elizabeth Connal, they had 4 children, Tupui, Mary, Louise and Hugh.
Last Modified on 29/04/2008 07:14