ATHLETICS - How Wendy still inspires youths

Former Northland and New Zealand sprint champion Wendy Brown's legacy is still making its mark upon the region's up-and-coming athletes.
Taranaki-born Brown was a finalist in the 100m and 200m at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch and, after moving to Wellsford in 1975, went on to represent New Zealand at the 1978 Commonwealth Games at Edmonton and two World Cups in 1977 and 1981.
From 1974 until the early 1980s, she was the fastest woman in the country, holding the New Zealand records for the 100m and 200m.
It was not only as a top competitor in open and masters sprints that Brown made her mark, but as team manager, official and coach, and her legacy became evident at a recent Wellsford Athletic children's ribbon day.
Eight year-old Reon Lewis, proudly displaying the ribbons pinned to his chest, said: "I want to be a fast runner like my mum and dad, Dad's got a record at Rodney College for the 200m."
The family continued to impress at the meeting. Six-year-old Darian Lewis added to his collection of ribbons in the long jump while older brother Wezley, 10, sprinted into first place in the boys 200m.
But it was the boys' father, Clark Lewis, who revealed the link with Brown. As a youngster he belonged to the Wellsford club. He was coached by Brown and in 1990 broke Rodney College's junior 200m record and, as far as he knows, the record still stands.
Brown and her husband Ian, a former Rodney Districts rugby coach, are both school teachers.
They moved to Auckland in 1996 before relocating to Christchurch and more recently to Wellington.
She retains fond memories of her Wellsford days.
"It was a fantastic time there were huge numbers in those days. I remember Clark vividly, he was easy to coach. We had a good group at that time," she said.
"Clark could have gone on [in athletics] but rugby was his first passion. There was great support from his parents, and his brother and sister were good athletes too."
Brown's competitive career ended after an Achilles injury and operation in 2004 but her involvement in athletics as a coach, official and manager continued until her recent move to Wellington.
She anticipates further involvement in the future.