In years past, New Zealand track and field were on the lookout for middle-distance runners. But now, as Andrew Alderson points out, Valerie Vili and Sir John Walker have thrown them a curve ball.
Wherever the 2020 Olympics are held, the people of Waipu may be able to say they saw a future New Zealand track and field gold medallist first.
At the Northland town's Highland Games earlier this month, Siositina Hakeai stuck a pitchfork into a sheaf of hay - the equivalent of about half a bale or just over 6kg - and threw it over an eight-metre high bar in the manner you might flick some tea leaves off a teaspoon.
The point to note is that Siositina (or Tina as she is known) is a powerfully built 15-year-old Auckland Girls' Grammar student from Mangere. She's about to enter fifth form.
Hakeai personifies why Athletics New Zealand (ANZ), through the Field of Dreams Trust set up by Sir John Walker, is creating what is known as the Junior Throws Programme (JTP) to identify the next generation's Valerie Vili, starting at a number of eastern schools in Manukau City.
The programme is a two-year pilot looking at talent in the 13-17 age group.
It looks set to be run by throwing coach Nigel Edwards, who also coaches Hakeai.
The 51-year-old has been coaching javelin, shot put and discus for 30 years and is at a loose end, having been made redundant from his job in September.
Edwards will be reimbursed only for expenses as he continues to look for another full-time job but he says it remains one of his life's passions to contribute in the amateur coaching field.
"We'll be looking for talent among the 11,000 kids going to school sports days in the targeted region," says Edwards.
"They don't actually have to be involved in events either. Sometimes the kids with talent are those too shy to enter.
"For instance, if I see a guy throwing a tennis ball well, I know he'll be good at javelin but not necessarily shot put. For shot put, I'll look for someone with powerful arms and legs as well as height and speed."
Edwards says there's a certain reward convincing individuals to adopt track and field.
"I came across a guy last week, who's been expelled from three schools and has gang links. Yet he's 17-years-old, six foot nine inches [2.05m] tall and wears size 15 shoes. There's so much potential."
Plenty of potential, yes, but it's not as simple as it sounds. Not everyone like that who shows promise will leave their old life behind.
The point has been made that while it is admirable aspiring to break kids out of South Auckland's infamous street culture, someone spray-canning a dairy is not necessarily going to turn into a track and field champion.
Former New Zealand high jump champion Terry Lomax is another of those responsible for the JTP in his new ANZ role as performance director.
He believes a balance will be found over time.
"I think it can work. For the Manukau City Council and the Field of Dreams Trust, it's serving a purpose outside straight athletics performance because of the nature of the population with its untapped potential and sometimes limited access to resources.
"Our pathway, once we get some targeted athletes, is five to six years, much like what Valerie Vili has done."
However, the project faces other logistical problems.
Deadlines as far-reaching as September, November and now February have been bandied about to have things set up.
Red tape issues such as health and safety, insurance and sourcing enough gear threaten to delay it for the time being, especially with secondary schools' limited seven-week athletics season about to start.
Discovering champions is about more than just identifying talent, however.
One observer said the athlete-coach relationship is just as vital, citing Kirsten Hellier and Vili as a classic example.
He also wondered how easy it would be to convince a top athlete into a throwing event rather than aspiring to be an All Black.
Edwards remains optimistic such potential problems can be solved.
"In the first intake, we hope to have sifted out 80 to 100 kids to take down to a local park. We'd next cull that to 15 to 20 by May and those kids will be trained until December. The chosen ones will then be given resources.
"They'll be sent into clubs, given specialist coaching [and help with] nutrition and psychology.
"I've got no problem if they use the throwing programme to go into rugby or netball. Let's face it, going into sport is better than staying on the streets.
"It's as much about kids being in a happy place where they get told 'well done' for a change."
If the programme expands, Edwards says other key areas to target are Porirua and Flaxmere.
