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Kirsten Hellier

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Kirsten Hellier
ONZM
Hellier in 2018
Personal information
Birth nameKirsten Louise Smith
Born (1969-10-06) 6 October 1969 (age 55)
Tokoroa, New Zealand
RelativeLionel Smith (father)
Medal record
Women's Athletics
Representing  New Zealand
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 1994 Victoria Javelin throw

Kirsten Louise Hellier ONZM (née Smith; born 6 October 1969 in Tokoroa) is a former javelin thrower, who represented New Zealand at the Commonwealth and the Olympic Games. She set her personal best (62.52 metres) in 1994 with the old javelin type. Hellier was the coach of World Champion shot putter Valerie Adams from 1998 until 2010.[1]

Biography

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Hellier was born in Tokoroa. Her father, Lionel Smith, was a hurdler at the 1950 British Empire Games.[2] From age five to eleven, her family lived in Samoa where her father was a construction worker. Having lived in Samoa later helped with understanding cultural issues when it came to coaching Adams.[3]

Hellier placed eighth at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in the women's javelin throw. She competed in the same event at the 1992 Summer Olympics where she placed 17th overall in qualifying with a throw of 59.34 m. At the 1994 Commonwealth Games, she won the silver medal in the women's javelin with a throw of 60.40 m.[4] Hellier was trained by the decathlete Max Stewart.[3]

Hellier currently works at Macleans College as a sports co-coordinator.[2]

In 1990, Hellier was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.[5] She won the Halberg Awards Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008.[6]

In the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours, Hellier was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sport, particularly athletics.[7]

In 2020, Hellier was appointed to Athletics New Zealand in a key coaching role as Athletic NZ Programme Coach.[8] An interview with Hellier was featured in the 2022 documentary film Dame Valerie Adams: More than Gold.[9]

Achievements

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Year Competition Venue Position Notes
Representing  New Zealand
1988 World Junior Championships Sudbury, Canada 11th 47.66 m
1990 Commonwealth Games Auckland, New Zealand 8th 52.34 m
1992 Olympic Games Barcelona, Spain 17th 59.34 m
1994 Commonwealth Games Victoria, Canada 2nd 60.40 m

References

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  1. ^ Hinton, Marc (28 March 2010). "Olympic champion Valerie Vili drops coach". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  2. ^ a b Rattue, Chris (27 March 2009). "My life in sport: Kirsten Hellier". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  3. ^ a b Bingham, Eugene (15 July 2006). "Valerie Vili – two shots, one aim". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  4. ^ Kirsten Hellier at the New Zealand Olympic Committee
  5. ^ Taylor, Alister; Coddington, Deborah (1994). Honoured by the Queen – New Zealand. Auckland: New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa. p. 342. ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
  6. ^ "Kirsten Hellier appointed to Athletics NZ coaching staff". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2018". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Kirsten Hellier appointed to Athletics NZ coaching staff". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  9. ^ Solomona, Gaby (13 October 2022). "More than Gold - a standing ovation and not a dry eye". Pacific Media Network. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
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