Dreydon Sobanja
Sobanja, Dreydon (1972-) grew up on Waiheke Island and studied commerce at the University of Auckland. He is the author of several non-fiction books focusing on the achievements of various New Zealanders, especially sporting achievements.
Dreydon has established an extensive and successful career in accounting and property investment. In his late 30’s, suffering with mental and physical health issues, he made a conscious decision to let this career take a backseat, and rediscover his passion for the phenomenon of “ordinary Kiwis doing extraordinary things”. He picked up triathlon as a sport, eventually qualifying for the 2014 Triathlon Age Group World Championships in Canada. This fulfilled his dream of crossing the finish line wearing the silver fern.
In 2013, two books in The Inspirational Kiwis Book Series were published, Jean Dreams of Flying and Ed Climbs a Big Hill. They have both been described by Graeme Beattie on his blog as “charming, inspirational and educational.” Through these books, Dreydon “encourages children to focus on their dreams,” and includes tools and resources on the back pages to help them achieve this.
In October 2016, Bruce Wants to go Faster was published as book three in the series. The book provides a biography of Bruce McLaren, with a level of detail suited to 10-12 year old readers and “nostalgic 60s inspired illustrations.” Toni Street praises the book for showing children a “Kiwi example” of “how you can achieve your dreams even when the path seems impossible.”
The Kiwi Runners’ Family Tree: Volume One 1800s to 1999 and The Kiwi Runners’ Family Tree: Volume Two 2000 to 2020 provide a showcase of New Zealand’s sprinters, runners, ultramarathoners, hurdlers, steeplechasers, race walkers and Para athletes. Dreydon uses the family tree metaphor to show the interconnectedness of the New Zealand running community, and how the different athletes knew each other - family connections, friend connections, coach connections or otherwise. The books, published in August 2020 and June 2021 respectively, are praised for their strong factual base and detailed research, with Volume One featuring “more than twenty personal interviews with athletes, administrators and coaches.”
MEDIA
Reviews of Jean Dreams of Flying and Ed Climbs a Big Hill written by Graeme Beattie
Bruce Wants to go Faster Review by Jarrod Rendle
Kiwi Runners' Family Tree Volume One Review by Christopher Kelsall
