Alan COSTLEY Obituary

Alan was a kind, generous, gentle, humble and intelligent man. I played table tennis in the early 80s as a teenager at the Empire club. Alan was always generous with his time, was supportive and encouraging with his kind words and coaching. Through his guidance I and many other teenagers went on to represent Hutt Valley and NZ. You will always be fondly remembered Alan.

The contribution that Alan made to myself and countless others over the years cannot be quantified. He was the rock of Waterloo and Hutt Valley table tennis, he supported us from an early age, encouraged us, celebrated with us in victory and consoled us in defeat, drove us all over the country (when we drove him up the wall with our immaturity), turned up to practically every training session, interclub night and tournament, and was always there to listen to whatever we had to say, good or bad. Thank you Alan for everything you did for me, for us. I hope you felt an immense amount of pride and satisfaction, and perhaps most importantly, an understanding of how much you meant to us all. Be at peace Big Al.

I knew Alan since the early 90s in his capacity as a table tennis official, and had the privilege of becoming a good friend of his when working with him very closely from 1997 well into the next decade.
Alan was one of the truly great administrators in NZ table tennis history, and unquestionably the finest from the Wellington region in the last 60 years. His selflessness was unmatched, as he dedicated his entire time outside of work to table tennis, whether assisting directly in the development of junior players, coordinating events, or contributing to the sport's growth across the Wellington region.
There was nobody who worked as tirelessly and as generously - for Waterloo, for Hutt Valley, and for Wellington. Universally loved, Alan was an iconic and mountainous figure on the table tennis landscape.
As much as he was indefatigable, I also enjoyed immensely the time I spent with Alan - he was a wealth of knowledge, an inspiration and truly sincere. Goodbye Big Al.

Along with his great friend Richard Lee, Alan was the heart of table tennis in Lower Hutt for many years. He was supportive, kind and generous with his time to so many junior players over the years, for whom table tennis became a big part of their lives. Our sport is built on volunteers, and Alan was truly one of the reasons the sport thrived in the region over many years.
I recall when I was 15, I had the opportunity to travel to Fiji for my first international competition. Fundraising was tough, and comprised endless sausage sizzles, pub charities grant applications, and jobs around home. Alan very kindly donated to my trip, saying he'd had a win at the TAB, though I very much doubt that was the case, and he was just being his extremely generous self. Your legacy will continue to live on through the hundreds of table tennis players you have supported Alan and you will be dearly missed by all.

Alan is a well remembered by those who worked at Shaw Savill Line Wellington in the 1960s. His passing has been referred to the members of the NZ Shaw Savill Society in New Zealand including those who enjoyed working with him as a respected colleague.

A man with a golden heart. Alan dedicated countless hours of his life to the development of young table tennis players across wellington. From running after school club at waterloo, administrating training and tournaments, even transporting us aspiring kids cross country to test our metal against other counties. He was a fixture of the community and an every present role model to so many. He will be sorely missed.

Alan and Ian White at Waterloo Table Tennis Club anniversary, 9 August 2019

Big Al
Pingpong legend to many many youngsters ( now adults). You helped us all in so many ways, a bunch of misfits who came together and now have great memories and friends for life thanks to you.
We never will forget you mate.

I grew up in Lower Hutt next door to " Aunty Ivy" and Alan and Neil, they were kind " big cousins" to me . My Dad Percy Jones uwas a friend of Herb´s they worked together in Lower Hutt and later in Wanganui . My sympathy to Alan´s nephews
Pam Collinge (

Condolences from the White family. We all knew Alan and he was a huge part of our lives as we all played table tennis over many years. Alan coached us and did this with a great deal of kindness and patience. Our Dad, Ian is not able to attend Alan´s funeral but will be thinking of Alan and the many years they spent in table tennis circles.

Alan was Mr Table Tennis in the Hutt Valley from the 1970's and he would have been at Waterloo Table Tennis Club and Empire Club for Hutt Valley training/interclub 5-6 times a week when I was playing from 1979 onwards. He got us all started with his brand of coaching, "free arm up, recovery position ready to play forehand or backhand" He would drive us all over the North Island through the 1980's, he'd picked us up at 6am to drive (pretty sure it in a Mitsubishi Lancer like in the photo!) to Wanganui/Manawatu/Hawkes Bay and Auckland. Alan would always be eating an apple for breakfast when he picked you up! There was a constant flow of players that he started coaching and mentored who went on to represent Hutt Valley and New Zealand, Alan was an absolute Legend, giving of his time and resources to see others develop in the sport he loved. Rest in peace my friend.