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Fiji's most capped cricketer and sporting all rounder, Curling Valentine has died in Brisbane at the age of 69.
Frederick Lawrence Curling Valentine was born at the Ba Base Hospital on 1st July, 1940 to Charles and Annie Valentine and was the eldest of four surviving children, all of whom made their mark in sports- Charles (Junior) in Boxing, Faith Nalatu in Hockey and Athletics and Archie in athletics and rugby.
Curling attended Suva Boys Grammar School and worked in various jobs that included Qantas and Fong Hoon Ltd before joining Carlton Brewery as a Salesman and later becoming Sales and Marketing Manager covering Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa.
He also worked as Sales Manager for Rewa Dairy Ltd.
Curling was introduced to cricket byhis father at the age of 11 when he used to fill in the score card or “fill in” when there was a shortage of players. He was first considered for international selection at 14 for a tour of New Zealand, but was held back by his father because he was still at school. His first tour, when he was 19 was to New South Wales and he delighted the cricket world when he bowled the likes of Richie Benaud and Alan Davidson for a duck. Newspaper headlines read “David slew Goliath”.
Three New Zealand tours followed, and an inaugural Test series against Papua New Guinea. From these Papua New Guinea Tests, Curling's right shoe and the ball he used are now in the famous Museum at the Lords Cricket Ground, England.
Curly was captain of an invitational Samabula Wanderers team that toured India staying in Royal Palaces and experiencing the life of the upper class, He met Nrs Indira Ghandi, Indian Prime Minister during this tour.
Curly was also captain of the Fiji team to the inaugural Mini World Cup in England. He met the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Princess Ann at Buckingham Palace and at the request of the the Queen the team sang “Isa Lei”.
Curling played centre for the Gaunavou team in the Suva rugby competition while his brother, Archie played on the wing. Archie died in Brisbane earlier this year at the age of 61. Curling was also active in other sports like darts, table tennis, squash, tennis and golf playing off a single figure handicap within 14 months of taking up the game
Among Curling's prized possession was a kava bilo belonging to the late Tui Nayau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara who presented it to Curling at Tubou after a Dewar shield challenge that Curling's Suva team narrowly lost to Tubou under controversial circumstances.
The story of this match was retold many times by Curling at his regular kava sessions to his friends in his back shed at his home in Brisbane that he had converted into a mini sporting museum. On the walls hung pictures of various sporting moments in Curling's lifetime, also the first Queensland Reds Jersey worn by former Wallaby and Fiji coach, Ilivasi Tabua and the first All Black jersey worn by Curling's famous nephew, Walter Little.
Curling's father had maternal links to Raviravi, Beqa and his mother was from Narewa, Nadi.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra, six children, 12 grandchildren and a grandson. His ashes will be brought to Fiji by his wife and family at Easter.
Curling Left us on the morning of the 27th December 2009
As extracted from the Fiji Sun on 7th January 2010. More >> |
