Kirsten Louise Hellier (née Smith; born 6 October 1969 in Tokoroa) is a former javelin thrower, who represented New Zealand at the

Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...

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 put The shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" (throwing) a heavy spherical ball—the ''shot''—as far as possible. The shot put competition for men has been a part of the modern Olympics since their revival in 1896, and women's ...

ter

Valerie Adams Dame Valerie Kasanita Adams (formerly Vili; born 6 October 1984) is a retired New Zealand shot putter. She is a four-time IAAF World Championships in Athletics, World champion, four-time IAAF World Indoor Championships, World Indoor champion, ...

from 1998 until 2010. At the

1994 Commonwealth Games The 1994 Commonwealth Games ( French: ''XVéme Jeux du Commonwealth'') were held in Victoria, British Columbia, from 18 to 28 August 1994. Ten types of sports were featured at the Victoria Games: athletics, aquatics, badminton, boxing, cycling, ...

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 The 1990 Commonwealth Games ( mi, 1990 Taumāhekeheke Commonwealth) were held in Auckland, New Zealand from 24 January – 3 February 1990. It was the 14th Commonwealth Games, and part of New Zealand's 1990 sesquicentennial celebrations. Partic ...

in the same event. Hellier competed at the

1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1992, ca, Jocs Olímpics d'estiu de 1992), officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad ( es, Juegos de la XXV Olimpiada, ca, Jocs de la XXV Olimpíada) and commonly known as ...

where she placed 17th overall in qualifying with a throw of 59.34 m. Hellier currently works at Macleans College as a sports co-coordinator. Her father Lionel Smith was a hurdler at the

1950 British Empire Games The 1950 British Empire Games was the fourth staging of what is now called the Commonwealth Games. It was held in Auckland, New Zealand between 4 and 11 February 1950, after a 12-year gap from the third edition of the games. The main venue was ...

. Hellier won the Halberg Awards Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008. In the

2018 Queen's Birthday Honours The 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours are appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. The Birthday Honours are awarded as p ...

, Hellier was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sport, particularly athletics. In 2020, Hellier was appointed to Athletics New Zealand in a key coaching role as Athletic NZ Programme Coach. An interview with Hellier was featured in the 2022 documentary film '' Dame Valerie Adams: More than Gold''.

Achievements

References

External links

* * 1969 births Living people New Zealand female javelin throwers Athletes (track and field) at the 1990 Commonwealth Games Athletes (track and field) at the 1994 Commonwealth Games Athletes (track and field) at the 1992 Summer Olympics Commonwealth Games silver medallists for New Zealand Olympic athletes of New Zealand Sportspeople from Tokoroa People educated at Macleans College Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit {{NewZealand-athletics-bio-stub