Former Cook Islands prime minister Sir Geoffrey Henry has died aged 72. [Reuters] picture published with permission of the family

Handball Australia wishes to extend our deepest sympathy to our Cook Islands friends on the passing of Sir Geoffrey Henry.

A proud Cook Islander, the Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament, Sir Geoffrey Henry, who earlier had led his country for more than a decade, died on Wednesday night at home surrounded by his family. He was 72.

Sir Geoffrey was an Executive member of the Oceania Continent Handball Federation (OCHF), and held the important position of Vice President of the Commonwealth Handball Association. His death is a great loss, not just to handball in Oceania, but in particular to handball in the Cook Islands.