“Norm had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Norm’s funeral arrangements are private and his family similarly ask for their privacy at this difficult time, so that that they might properly grieve their husband, father, son and brother.”
New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson acknowledged Hewitt for his contribution to all levels of the game.
Hewitt came into the All Black side as understudy to Sean Fitzpatrick in the 1993 series against the Lions and made the tour later that year to Scotland and England.
For quite a number of years I had tickets at the Sky Stadium right next to Norm, Arlene, and his children Elizabeth and Alexander. Pretty much every game, we would have our half time analysis of the preceding 40 minutes. A humble guy who was intent on giving back to the sport he loved.
Motor neurone disease is tragic with
no way out. My cousin, Dr Natalie Gauld, herself a sufferer of this awful disease, was on the AM Show explaining this debilitating disease a couple of months ago. Unfortunately it seems that this disease is one with no “out clause”, taking people long before their time.
RIP Norm
Tawa Rugby
Feels kind of strange to now write about our Tawa rugby after the above, but I am sure Norm would approve.
Whilst driving to Taupō on Saturday, we stopped at Taihape at our favourite café (Le Café
Telephonique) for lunch and caught some of the Colts game against Petone, which our Colts won 26-17.
