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Athletics NZ AGM Life Membership & Merit Awards
At the AGM on Saturday 28/9/24 in Taupo, Arch Jelley CNZM OBE was accorded Life Membership of Athletics New Zealand in recognition of over 60 years’ service to the sport as a coach, manager and administrator.
He began coaching athletics in 1957. He took Neville Scott to the 5000 metres final at the 1964 Summer Olympics and helped Ian Studd win bronze in the mile at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, he coached John Walker to the Gold medal in the 1500m, and also coached Rod Dixon and Dick Quax at these Games.
He retired from coaching in 2000, to put more time into bridge and lawn bowls. However, five years later, he agreed to coach Hamish Carson who subsequently represented New Zealand at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 1500 metres.
In the 1982 New Year Honours, Jelley was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to athletics. Along with Arthur Lydiard, he was one of four coaches inducted into the New Zealand Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1987, he was awarded an International Amateur Athletic Federation Diploma.
In 2007, Jelley received a Sparc lifetime achievement award for coaching excellence, and an Athletics New Zealand merit award in 2009.
Jelley was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2021 New Year’s Honours, for his work as a coach and an administrator in athletics and bridge. He turned 102 on 13 August.
Athletics New Zealand Merit Awards were presented to long standing officials:
Two from Auckland were recognised.
David Sim who has had a 52 year involvement in the sport ranging from a competitor, official, administrator, manager and volunteer in Wellington Samoa and Auckland. He was a competitor and coach of race walking with North Harbour Bays Club and won the national 50km road walking title in 2007 and 2008.
Paul Hamblyn, successful coach and meeting promotor of the Night of Fives meeting with the North Harbour Bays Club. A sub-four minute miler he was fourth in the 1500m at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
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