About Buddy Corlett
Lived 1921 – 2015 (aged 93). Buddy Corlett was a New Zealand and Canadian softball player and basketball player.
Charles Armistice "Buddy" Corlett (11 November 1921 − 9 May 2015) was a New Zealand sportsman. Born in Canada, he emigrated to New Zealand and represented his adopted country in both softball and basketball. He married New Zealand's first female Olympic gold medallist, Yvette Williams, in 1954.
Biography Born in the Canadian province of Alberta in 1921, Corlett emigrated to New Zealand, where he was a noted softball player. A third baseman known for his strong throw, He also played for the New Zealand national basketball team.
A lifelong supporter of the YMCA, He was also involved in the formation of the Panmure Squash Club in 1965.
In 1954 he married field athlete Yvette Williams, who had become the first New Zealand woman to win an Olympic gold medal, in the long jump at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. The couple had four children, including national basketball representative Neville Corlett, Auckland provincial rugby union player Peter Corlett, and Karen Corlett, who represented New Zealand in rhythmic gymnastics at the 1977 world championships. In 2008, he was inducted as a Legend of Auckland Softball, and he was also named as one of the 10 most outstanding New Zealand basketball players of the 20th century.
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Important facts
People in Buddy Corlett's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Buddy Corlett's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Buddy Corlett?
New Zealand softball player
When was Buddy Corlett born?
Buddy Corlett was born on 11 November 1921 in Alberta.
When did Buddy Corlett die?
Buddy Corlett died on 9 May 2015 in Auckland.
What was Buddy Corlett's occupation?
Buddy Corlett was a softball player and basketball player.
What nationality was Buddy Corlett?
Buddy Corlett was New Zealand and Canadian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Buddy Corlett. https://biography.guide/buddy-corlett/
MLA: "Buddy Corlett." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/buddy-corlett/.
Chicago: "Buddy Corlett." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/buddy-corlett/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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