In February 2008 when I met my new Year 10 French class, I was struck by a friendly, red-haired student. I soon learned her name, Jackie Kiddle, and that she was just taking up rowing.
Jackie Kiddle
During the four years she competed for Wellington Girls’ College, Jackie always lit up when you asked about rowing. I don’t think she ever missed a training. That meant her parents were at the Star Boating Club at 5am several times a week. In 2011, after a successful Maadi Cup, she came to the attention of NZ Rowing – and the rest, as they say, is history.
I have followed Jackie’s from afar, her many success, the dignity with which she faced the bitter disappointment of not competing in Tokyo in 2021 and now, her delight, that she and Shannon Cox not only made the A final, but also came within centimetres of a bronze medal.
Jackie epitomises what many NZ athletes seem to be like – incredibly dedicated over many years to being the best they can be, but grateful also. Such dedication is only possible because of the support around them. In the first years, this means family – parents, grand-parents, siblings who spend make the early starts and spend hours on the sideline, at the pool or trackside. When talent is spotted, it is then nurtured and developed by a whole raft of professionals – coaches, physios, nutritionists, – paid for by the taxpayer through high performance funding, but also by sponsors. It has been heart-warming to hear all the athletes interviewed during the Olympics pay tribute to their network of supporters, thus confirming that success at the highest level is not possible on your own.
Christine Bryant, Lay Minister, St John’s.
Last week Sam wrote about the wide range of community activities offered by the churches in Te Awamutu. It is not just a friendly coffee, a meal, pre-school music or a men’s group which is offered. Your church family can also be your life support network. As Sam wrote, it has been like this since the first believers gathered to live in community. St Paul, in his letters to the early churches, thanks his helpers at the end of each letter. In fact, in Chapter 16, the final chapter of the Letter to the Romans, no fewer than 36 people are mentioned. They include Phoebe who delivered his letter to Rome, Gaius with whom Paul is staying, Andronicus and Junias who have been in prison with him, nine men and women are named as fellow workers for Christ. Yes, even the greatest missionary, St Paul, could not carry out his mission without his huge team of helpers.
“No man is an island, entire of itself,” wrote the poet, John Donne. We are not meant to journey through life alone. Each of us is called to be a supporter and encourager of those around us. The Olympic Games and NZ’s participation in them present two contrasting images. On the one hand, there are the athletes striving for individual glory; on the other hand, each athlete represents the wrap-around support that has made their participation possible. In my view, a powerful metaphor for the Christian Church in Aotearoa-New Zealand.
Jackie Kiddle. Courtesy Hall of Fame.
