.jpg) Hellier in 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth name | Kirsten Louise Smith | ||||||||||||||
| Born | (1969-10-06)6 October 1969 (age 55) Tokoroa, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||
| Relative | Lionel Smith (father) | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Kirsten Louise HellierONZM (néeSmith; born 6 October 1969 inTokoroa) is a formerjavelin thrower, who represented New Zealand at theCommonwealth and theOlympic Games. She set her personal best (62.52 metres) in 1994 with the old javelin type. Hellier was the coach of World Championshot putterValerie Adams from 1998 until 2010.[1]
Hellier was born inTokoroa. Her father,Lionel Smith, was a hurdler at the1950 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 the1990 Commonwealth Games in the women's javelin throw. She competed in the same event at the1992 Summer Olympics where she placed 17th overall in qualifying with a throw of 59.34 m. At the1994 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 atMacleans College as a sports co-coordinator.[2]
In 1990, Hellier was awarded theNew Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.[5] She won the Halberg Awards Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008.[6]
In the2018 Queen's Birthday Honours, Hellier was appointed anOfficer 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 filmDame Valerie Adams: More than Gold.[9]
| 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 |
