A Guiness World Record worth celebrating

There was plenty of excitement at Kāpiti Village recently as residents gathered to celebrate one of their own achieving international recognition.

At 102 years of age, resident Neville Sandiford has officially been named the world’s oldest competitive croquet player by Guinness World Records – an extraordinary achievement that puts both Neville and his beloved sport proudly in the spotlight.

The global milestone was marked with a special village celebration, with friends and fellow residents coming together to congratulate Neville on his remarkable accomplishment.

Neville first picked up a croquet mallet in 2002 at the age of 79 after his late wife, Joan, spotted an advertisement offering free lessons.

“As soon as I got a hold of a mallet and hit one ball onto another ball, I knew it was the game for me.”

Today, he still plays three times a week and recently competed in an 80+ Golf Croquet tournament where his world record attempt was officially verified. Following months of review, Guinness World Records confirmed Neville as the ‘world’s oldest competitive croquet player.’

For Neville, the game provides friendship, gentle exercise and mental stimulation. For his mates at Kāpiti Village, his achievement as a centenarian is a source of enormous pride.

His story is a wonderful reminder that age is no barrier to embracing new challenges.

The global milestone was marked with a special village celebration, with friends and fellow residents coming together to congratulate Neville on his remarkable accomplishment.

There was plenty of excitement at Kāpiti Village recently as residents gathered to celebrate one of their own achieving international recognition.

At 102 years of age, resident Neville Sandiford has officially been named the world’s oldest competitive croquet player by Guinness World Records – an extraordinary achievement that puts both Neville and his beloved sport proudly in the spotlight.

The global milestone was marked with a special village celebration, with friends and fellow residents coming together to congratulate Neville on his remarkable accomplishment.

Neville first picked up a croquet mallet in 2002 at the age of 79 after his late wife, Joan, spotted an advertisement offering free lessons.

“As soon as I got a hold of a mallet and hit one ball onto another ball, I knew it was the game for me.”

Today, he still plays three times a week and recently competed in an 80+ Golf Croquet tournament where his world record attempt was officially verified. Following months of review, Guinness World Records confirmed Neville as the ‘world’s oldest competitive croquet player.’

For Neville, the game provides friendship, gentle exercise and mental stimulation. For his mates at Kāpiti Village, his achievement as a centenarian is a source of enormous pride.

His story is a wonderful reminder that age is no barrier to embracing new challenges.

Above: Neville with daughter Maria Sandiford and Acting Mayor Martin Halliday.