Celebrating Olympic Success
Fans turned out in force to honour Olympic medallists Dame Lisa Carrington, Stacey Waaka and Hayden Wilde. Story and photos kindly shared from The Beacon newspaper. Story by Diane McCarthy. Photography, Troy Baker,
Emotions were high and inspiration at the fore at Rex Morpeth Park in Whakatāne as the Eastern Bay had a chance to show its appreciation to three of its Paris Olympic medalists.
Kayaker Dame Lisa Carrington, sevens rugby player Stacey Waaka and triathlete Hayden Wilde were together in Whakatāne for the first time since this year’s Olympics Games.
Whakatāne District Council grasped the opportunity to hold a parade in their honour.
Waaka’s fellow sevens team member Poroporo’s Mahina Paul was unable to attend the event as she was competing in Dubai.
Sports fans, mostly from Eastern Bay schools, gathered at Rex Morpeth Park to see their heroes, have a look at their medals and hear some inspirational words.
Carrington said she was “still the same girl from Ōhope” she had always been and spoke about how much she valued the connection to home when she was competing overseas.
“I want to thank you for making, when we come here, so welcoming and reminding me that I love my home, and I will share you with the world because it is so special.”
Waaka said she was grateful and humbled to be on the same stage as Carrington and Wilde.
She recalled the inspirational visit to Whakatāne High School Dame Lisa made when she was a student there, after winning the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
“It was so inspiring to see her, now to be on stage today I feel like superwoman. She did it, now I did it, and hopefully all you guys can do it too.
“There’s lots of tears, lots of blood, lots of sweat. It’s so hard some days and there are times when I’m like, why am I doing this, but I think back to my why. All the hard work and sacrifice that my family and friends, that my community have made to help me get where I am today.”
Wilde thanked the crowd for coming out, saying he was always a Whakatāne boy at heart, despite spending much of his time in Tauranga these days.
He thanked his teachers at Trident High School and the Whakatāne community for their support in helping him get to where he is today. Wilde made particular mention of the school’s former deputy principal Peter Barsdell who was then his form teacher.
The parade was led around the park by the Whakatāne Scottish Pipe Band, followed by Carrington in a trailer, chauffeured by Radio 1XX staff and accompanied by hockey and netball players from her former primary school, Waiotahe Valley School.
Waaka and Wilde were seated in vintage Ford Mustangs and accompanied in the parade by students from the Aims Games Whakatāne Athletics Club, Whakatāne Surf Lifesaving Club and others.
Whakatāne Mayor Victor Luca and East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick followed in John Twaddle’s Morris Minor convertible and Whakatāne Brass Band brought up the rear.
Whakatāne High School kapa haka performed a rousing haka as the dignitaries stepped up to the stage and Ngāti Awa’s Mike Panapa and Ngāti Pukeko’s Tu Waka welcomed them. Wilde’s brother Hamish acted as MC.
Dr Luca spoke about the “little piece of paradise,” of the Eastern Bay.
“The ocean, the beaches, the bush, the rivers. It’s a great outdoor playground and I hazard a guess that this incredible environment that we all share doubles as a great training ground and that is why our community produces so many outstanding athletes and sportspeople.
“Add to our natural advantages the support of sports clubs, those who administer them, passionate coaches and supportive families and that, too, goes a long way to explain the success of these amazing young people on this stage today.”
He said despite this, the defining factor in achieving the pinnacles of excellence, was personal determination.
“The strength to continue to strive and the sheer tenacity not to give up when the training, and many other things I’m sure, test you to breaking point.”
Mrs Kirkpatrick said the pride the athletes brought to their region was “immense, unfathomable and an absolute credit to you.
“Sport is one of the greatest things we do for national pride.
“These athletes and many others from the Eastern Bay bring so much inspiration and aspiration to all of you as kids. Eastern Bay of Plenty punches well above its weight in growing great athletes. It’s very possible that the next great athlete is sitting out there in front of you guys.
