Someone should tell someone there’s a Channel Islander with kiwi connections playing tennis in the Commonwealth Games!
Okay, maybe I should… read on and let me know if it’s worth the hassle (I would love to see some coverage of him playing, who cares about anyone else!)
Patrick Ogier is my second cousin. Our grandmothers were sisters. Aunty Peg (as I called his grandmother) went with her teenage/university age children to England – Patrick’s mum Clare married an Ogier on Guernsey (the equivalent of a Jones from Wales). So to cut a long story short, he has a kiwi-born mum.
I stayed with them for a while on Guernsey on my OE in 1996 – Patrick would have been all of 7 or 8 at the time and thrashed me in a game of tennis (it was a fun game, but how much fun is it to be trying your hardest and not returning a ball of someone 15 years younger than you and still at primary school….) Patrick’s older brother Tom also stayed with us briefly at the family crib in the South Island while he was visiting a few years ago. I saw Aunty Peg again when I re-visited Europe in 1998 but sadly, she has now passed.
Patrick is through to the quarter finals in the mixed doubles in the Commonwealth Games, but sadly was knocked out of the singles by third-seeded Aussie (hate that – bit like the gold medal race in the men’s track cycling last night, that’s gotta hurt the pride).
I’m relying on his comments on Facebook and the odd reference on BBC to quench my thirst for knowledge. Cousin Clare… hint hint – pass on the news! (even more jealous now – just remembered Clare and her sister Anne are in Delhi. Sulk.)
Here’s Patrick in action…..
Patrick Ogier (pic stolen from BBC website)
rivettingKateTaylor 
[…] LINKS Kiwi connections18 minutes ago TweetSomeone should tell someone there’s a Channel Islander with kiwi connections playing tennis in the Commonwealth Games!Okay, maybe I should… read on and let me know if it’s worth the hassle (I would love to see some coverage of him playing, who cares about anyone else!)Patrick Ogier is my second cousin. Our grandmothers were sisters. Aunty Peg (as I called his grandmother) went with her teenage/university age children to England – Patrick’s mum Clare married an Ogier on Guernsey (the equivalent of a Jones from Wales). So to cut a long story short, he has a kiwi-born mum.I stayed with them for a while on Guernsey on my OE in 1996 – Patrick would have been all of 7 or 8 at the time and thrashed me in a game of tennis (it was a fun game, but how much fun is it to be trying your hardest and not returning a ball of someone 15 years younger than you and still at primary school….) Patrick’s older brother Tom also stayed with us briefly at the family crib in the South Island while he was visiting a few years ago. I saw Aunty Peg again when I re-visited Europe in 1998 but sadly, she has now passed.Patrick is through to the quarter finals in the mixed doubles in the Commonwealth Games, but sadly was knocked out of the singles by third-seeded Aussie (hate that – bit like the gold medal race in the men’s track cycling last night, that’s gotta hurt the pride).I’m relying on his comments on Facebook and the odd reference on BBC to quench my thirst for knowledge. Cousin Clare… hint hint – pass on the news! (even more jealous now – just remembered Clare and her sister Anne are in Delhi. Sulk.)Here’s Patrick in action….. TweetSOURCE: https://rivettingkatetaylor.wordpress.com/2010/10/08/kiwi-connections […]
By: Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 : Kiwi connections on October 8, 2010
at 10:00 am
Hey Kate, loved your blog and and the tennis picture of Patrick..especially as he’s all in black.. so suitable for a half Kiwi. We got back from Delhi yesterday. It was all a fabulous experience. Annie, Reg and I joined forces from Mallorca, London and Guernsey, and booked into a small hotel only 5 mins walk from the tennis centre, so saved a lot of time and transport hassle and could stroll home each day after the morning session, have a shower, simple lunch served by the family, a siesta – it was baking hot every day – then go back for the evening session at 5. The courts were at the edge of a very large park with a deer farm, so nice to walk in early in the morning before it got really hot. And there was a local church across the road called St Thomas – how appropriate for both of us – with a lovely priest where I could go and make rash promises in return for all favours!
Patrick played the doubles with Heather Watson, a great Guernsey girl who is 18 and won the US Junior Open last year, now under 200 in world women’s ranking. Michelle, her mother who is from Papua New Guinea, was their manager and so knowledgeable and nice.
The first doubles was nerve racking, against the Bahamas .. tie break lost in first set, won second, then just won third. I was a nervous wreck by then, esp as it lasted nearly 3 hours. But what jubilation afterwards! P&H went back to the Games Village, and the three of us found a brilliant tandoori kebab place with the help of a local, and it became our favourite eating spot: fish, chicken tikka, potato/onion,pepper vege dish, dal, butter naan, yoghourt, consumed either in the street at tall stainless steel tables – our preferred option with all the smells and sounds and crowds of eaters – or a couple of times inside in the air con. The meal usually came to 400 rupees or so total, about £7.
Next day Patrick was on Centre Court against Matt Ebden, nice Aussie, world top 150 and 3rd seed at the Games. A really good match .. Patrick not at all outclassed .. lost 3 and 2 ..and it was thrilling to be on such a stage. Ebden has beaten Melzer who knocked Nadal out of the Shanghai yesterday; he went on to win bronze. Heather was knocked out by the gold medal winner, and they lost the mixed to the bronze winners.
We went every day from 4th to 10th incl. So many good matches and semis and finals. Scotland’s victory v Australia in mixed final went on till midnight amidst huge cheering for the unseeded .. and the games with Paes and Bhupati – legendary Indian Wimbledon and elsewhere doubles champions – were stunning.
All 3 of us went to Rugby 7s first day, and Patrick to final day too- another brilliant victory for NZ. Patrick – in his All Blacks jersey of course, met and celebrated with them after, got lots of pics .. and then the unbelievable victory of the Silver Ferns to make us even prouder to be Kiwis!
We had a couple of days then to visit the Games Village, museums, shops, eat, walk miles, enjoy the wonderfully friendly and hospitable response from all the Indians we met. As there is no tennis in the next two Commonwealth Games, this was a chance in a lifetime for Patrick, and likewise for the three of us. Mother and Roly were there in spirit and we all thought of them so much. Hugs to you all, and send on love to all the family in NZ.
XXX
By: Clare Marie Ogier on October 17, 2010
at 5:03 am
Hello from an old acquaintance of Clare’s and admirer of her son’s prowess. Though his hairstyle was different when we lived in Guernsey! My son, William is one year younger than Patrick and has few hairs left on his head – a source of frustration! But, being born in Guernsey, he has the sporting spirit. He is a keen basketball player.
I hope this reaches Clare and would like to congratulate the whole family on this achievement! Judith Imbo
By: judith imbo on June 15, 2011
at 7:49 am