PROFILE
KATH THOMAS

As coach of the Sunrise Coast A representative netball team, Kath Thomas has one main aim this year - to take them into the top 4 of 3rd grade. If anyone can, Kath can. Her record of self motivation has stood her in good stead during the challenging periods in her life. Bom in Gisborne of farming stock, Kath's youth was spent between correspondence and small country schools such as Tolaga Bay, before 9 months at Gisborne Central then Gisborne Intermediate and Gisborne High School. Smaller schools are renown for pupils participating in all sports so when Kath reached Intermediate, she found she could run faster and throw further than anyone else at school, with the result she was Senior athletic champion. Competition at the Athletic Club provided a welcome challenge to Kath who loved sprinting but competed in all events up to the 880yds. Secondary school records tumbled and a fleet-footed Kath was HB/ PB record holder in the 440 & 880. Over the years she reached the finals of the NZ 440 and 880, holding provincial records in both, and clocked the 5th fastest time in NZ for the 1/2 mile at New Zealand level. With the belief that it is better to give than receive, Kath later took annual leave from the Power Board where she was employed, to sit her Diploma in Coaching. She became a NZ AAA coach (one of only 4 women in NZ) successfully coaching NZ junior javelin champion Brian Anderson. Athletics was not her only love, basketball (netball) and gymnastics benefitted from her intense interest in sport and Kath was a top YMCA gymnast during High School as well as making the 2nd basketball team. She played for HSOG A1, Gisborne's top netball club side after her schooling finished, becoming player-coach and eventually coach when expecting her first daughter. Elder daughter Michelle is now a nurse and the other, Letitia, is teaching. Their mum is very proud of their achievements and values their support and friendship. While Kath coached netball at senior and representative level, in between she umpired, acquiring her Local, Provincial and NZ Umpire's badges. She has been an active NZ umpire for 20 or so years, umpiring at 6 NZ tournaments and enjoying this aspect of netball more than playing or coaching. To Kath the position of coach is the loneliest, most challenging and demanding position on a sports field. One of the saddest days of Kath's life was when she was forced to give up umpiring through injury requiring major surgery on an ankle. With little or no free time left, after work and various netball activities, Kath attempts to catch a bit of sport on TV, particularly rugby and 1 day cricket. However, her "spare" time and energies are focused on giving back to sport which has been a major part of her life. She has all the self motivation, the communication, PR and tactical skills in her particular sport to succeed with this years Sunrise Coast team and in doing so to lift the profile of netball in this area, an aim very close to her heart.

×

 

• 

Kath Thomas at work at Eastworks

×

 

• 

1959 and Kath Bullen breaks the 440yds record in a time of 62.7sec.