Kirsten Hellier Explained

Kirsten Hellier
Birth Name:Kirsten Louise Smith
Birth Date:6 October 1969
Birth Place:Tokoroa, New Zealand
Relatives:Lionel Smith (father)
Show-Medals:yes

Kirsten Louise Hellier (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

Hellier was born in Tokoroa. Her father, Lionel Smith, was a hurdler at the 1950 British Empire Games. 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.[2]

At the 1994 Commonwealth Games Hellier won the silver medal in the women's javelin with a throw of 60.40 m. She placed 8th at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in the same event. Hellier competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics where she placed 17th overall in qualifying with a throw of 59.34 m.[3] Hellier was trained by the decathlete Max Stewart.

Hellier currently works at Macleans College as a sports co-coordinator.[4]

Hellier won the Halberg Awards Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008.[5]

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.[6]

In 2020, Hellier was appointed to Athletics New Zealand in a key coaching role as Athletic NZ Programme Coach.[7] An interview with Hellier was featured in the 2022 documentary film .[8]

Achievements

Representing
1988World Junior ChampionshipsSudbury, Canada11th47.66 m
1990Commonwealth GamesAuckland, New Zealand8th52.34 m
1992 Olympic GamesBarcelona, Spain17th59.34 m
1994Commonwealth GamesVictoria, Canada2nd60.40 m

Notes and References

  1. News: Olympic champion Valerie Vili drops coach . Hinton, Marc . 28 March 2010 . . 13 October 2011.
  2. News: Bingham . Eugene . Valerie Vili – two shots, one aim . 15 July 2024 . . 15 July 2006.
  3. http://www.commonwealthgames.org.nz/Athletes/AthleteProfile.aspx?print=&id=3780&ContactID=1409 Profile at the New Zealand Olympic Committee website
  4. News: My life in sport: Kirsten Hellier . Rattue, Chris . 27 March 2009 . . 13 October 2011.
  5. News: Kirsten Hellier appointed to Athletics NZ coaching staff . 16 September 2021 . .
  6. Web site: Queen's Birthday honours list 2018 . 4 June 2018 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 4 June 2018.
  7. News: Kirsten Hellier appointed to Athletics NZ coaching staff . 16 September 2021 . The New Zealand Herald.
  8. News: More than Gold - a standing ovation and not a dry eye . Gaby . Solomona . Pacific Media Network . 13 October 2022 . 9 November 2022.