Dunedin Club Cricket Umpire, John Henderson, is well known to many throughout Otago - having umpired club, age-group and district cricket over the past 38 years.

Last weekend, in a Dunedin Premier Grade fixture, Henderson brought up a miraculous achievement of standing in 1000 matches as an umpire.

In 1984, John Henderson (pictured right) umpired his first game of Dunedin Club Cricket at Bayfield Park, a match played between Carisbrook & Kaikorai Cricket Clubs.

John stood in that match alongside influential friend and fellow umpire, Steve Dunne.

Dunne was the first person to introduce Henderson to umpiring, and while Henderson played cricket in his earlier days, his love and passion for the game saw him take up umpiring.

Henderson has built some great relationships as a result of his time in the game and is pleased to have shared the passion of umpiring with his grandfather, brother and nephew who also are involved in umpiring.

It is that same passion for the game that drives Henderson to continue.

“I’ve had a lot of friends in cricket, and it’s my passion - I love the game,” stated Henderson.

“I try to give back as much as I’ve gotten out of the game, that’s why I carry on.”