Ernest Sutherland

Ernest Sutherland, known throughout his career as “Buz”, was one of the outstanding New Zealand athletes of the 1920s. His greatest moment though came in the green of South Africa rather than the black of New Zealand. The NZAAA brought a team of South Africans to New Zealand in 1922 and Sutherland, the national titleholder in the javelin, long and high jumps, travelled around the country with them. He got on so well with the visitors that when they left, so did he. He competed for South Africa in the decathlon in Paris in 1924, finishing fifth of 36 starters. He won the javelin title at the English AAA championships in 1924 and was second, when competing for Glasgow, in 1925. He returned to New Zealand in 1926 and won another three national titles for a total of 13. A policeman, he died as the result of a bicycle accident.

Personal Best: Dec – 5928 (1924).