A candid chat with Billy Bowden
Cricket umpire Billy Bowden has lived on the North Shore for most of his life. “I’ve lived around 80% of my life on the North Shore including Milford, Torbay, Browns Bay and Mairangi Bay. The other 20% was spent living in Tauranga and on the Hibiscus Coast – beautiful sea-side suburbs seem to be a recurring theme!”
As a member of the Emirates Elite Panel of International Cricket Council Umpires, Billy’s work takes him away from his beautiful seaside suburb for many weeks at a time. In January 2011, Billy Bowden officiated his 150th One Day International between Australia and England in Melbourne, and joined the elite group of cricket umpires to reach this milestone.
But back on home ground Billy makes the most of what the Shore has to offer – the beaches, parks, cafes and restaurants. “My favourite walk is along the beach and onto the waterfront walkway from Mairangi Bay to the other bays. I reckon it’s the best walkway in the world; where else do you get to be so close to the water and have such a beautiful view of a harbour? My wife Jenny and I have also just started taking our one year old son Samuel to Lake Pupuke to see the swans and ducks and to our local beach for a paddle. I’m sure taking the beach cricket bat and ball isn’t too far away either!”
Billy also likes to support his local cafes in Mairangi Bay. “Mangiamo’s Café is our regular destination for an extra hot, half strength mochachino in a bowl with marshmallows and a piece of their yummy caramel slice. However, the first meal I crave for when I arrive home is a roast. Within hours of returning I’m off to see Steve Bingley at his Browns Bay roasties shop. Nothing beats it, apart from my wife Jenny’s roast meals of course!”
After a stint overseas, Billy relishes getting back into a ‘normal’ sort of life – hanging around family and friends and attending the Shore Community Church in Albany. “This may sound strange, but I love being home and doing what most other family men like doing – mowing the lawns, a bit of hedge clipping, garden grooming and water blasting paths and driveways, cooking, washing, ironing and vacuuming. I find this very relaxing and therapeutic after spending so much time in hotels, airports, planes and cricket stadiums.”
Catching up with friends includes visiting the crowd at Albany Toyota, where Billy has been an Ambassador since 2000. “It’s good to visit the guys at the Signature and New Car Divisions as it takes my mind off the bat and ball, even though they like to give me advice on the dodgy decisions I’ve made. It keeps me humble and helps me to realise what real life is about, and I enjoy having a chat to some of the customers about what’s happening in their lives.”
Being a cricket umpire was not always in Billy’s game plan. At the age of 21 a promising career playing cricket was thwarted when he was diagnosed with arthritis. “We all have choices in life that we can control, but there are times in one’s life journey that we can’t control,” muses Billy. “Arthritis came overnight when I was so young, fit and healthy and when the world was my oyster, I guess. It basically hit me for six!”
Billy acknowledges his Christian faith helps him get through this ‘dreadful disease’. “Mind you my faith was tested during the first few years, so it wasn’t all a bed of roses. However, looking back over the past 27 years I can now say in hindsight that arthritis has been good to me, as the opportunities that have opened up for me wouldn’t have occurred if I was in the best of health.”
Having experienced arthritis firsthand Billy took on the role as Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation, firstly for Auckland and then New Zealand. During this time he has worked with the Foundation to raise the profile of the condition by appearing on a number of television news programmes, radio shows, and fundraising at events throughout New Zealand. “I was blessed to be able to give back to an organisation that is helping so many people, and I still keep in touch with them regularly, says Billy. “It was a wonderful opportunity for me to help this foundation by spreading the word - making people aware of this horrific disease and to support the 500,000 plus arthritis sufferers in New Zealand. One in every six people over the age of 15 years and one in every three over the age of 45 in New Zealand suffer from arthritis. I believe everyone in New Zealand knows of someone who has some sort of arthritis in their body. It’s a life sentence of pain and suffering, and it not only affects the individual, but also their family and friends who help and care for them.”
Billy’s sometimes asked what the pain is like – he says it’s like ‘walking on broken glass’. “There is no cure for arthritis, so like all other charities we need the support from the people both in New Zealand and overseas to help find a cure. We have Arthritis Orange Day Appeal in September every year from which all donations go towards finding a cure. Hopefully one day this
will happen.”
Until a cure is found, Billy says there are several steps people can take to help manage the disease, and finds the following helps him considerably to get the best quality of life with arthritis.
Billy’s diet is guided by the advice from his wife Jenny, a registered nutritionist and writer. “I have no doubt whatsoever that being disciplined by having a good balanced diet can do wonders for your arthritis. Having my gorgeous wife Jenny as my nutritionist is an advantage. I’m quite sure the aches have reduced since Jenny helped me to improve my diet. Giving me advice on the foods I should have while at home and overseas gives me the opportunity not only to umpire to the best of my ability, but also to ease the pain of my arthritis. Mind you, I still love my ice-cream, roast meals and chocolate. I probably have these more overseas when Jenny isn’t around – so don’t let her know - everything in moderation I say!”
Of course a chat with Billy wouldn’t be complete with at least some mention of cricket, so we asked his advice when it comes to youngsters looking to take up the sport. “I’d advise parents to encourage their children at the earliest age possible to try many different types of sports. Finding out what they enjoy is a good idea, and they’ll also develop skills that will help them if they decide to play the game seriously later on. It’s a great way to stay healthy and enjoy being with other children their own age. Cricket is a wonderful game and it can be played in the front or back yard at home, on the driveway, on the beach, or anywhere with some grass. To play cricket is the ultimate, but if you have an injury or suffer a health condition – or want a challenge – then becoming a cricket umpire is very interesting, enjoyable and rewarding. My advice is don’t wait until too late in your life to learn how to officiate a sport – start when you’re younger!”
Doing what I love doing
