13 June 2006 - Archery mourns the loss of Neroli Fairhall

Archery mourns the loss of Neroli Fairhall

13 June 2006

“Neroli Fairhall will be remembered for her outstanding achievements as an archer, as a sportsperson and as a role model for people with disabilities. Her death has left a large hole in the hearts of sports’ lovers everywhere,” said Colin Mitchell, President of Archery New Zealand, commenting on the death on Sunday June 11, 2006 of one of New Zealand’s most revered icons, archer and paraplegic sportswoman, Neroli Fairhall.

Neroli won the Gold Medal on the only occasion archery has been included in the Commonwealth Games (Brisbane 1982).

She was the first paraplegic to compete in the Olympic Games (Los Angeles 1984).

She won numerous medals and titles in Paralympics, IPC-Archery World Championships and many other tournaments around the world. She regularly competed against, and usually beat, her able-bodied opponents.

She was Archery New Zealand’s National Champion for many years and although she was forced to give up archery some years ago, many of her records were unbeaten for a decade or more.

“Not shooting did not mean being out of archery”, continued Colin Mitchell. “For many years she regularly coached newcomers at the Christchurch archery club, inspiring all who came into contact with her.

“Tributes to Neroli, her sporting ability and her outstanding achievements as a role model for women in sport, and especially for people with disabilities, have been received from the International Paralympic Committee-Archery, from the Grand National Archery Society of Great Britain and the Oceania region.

“She was awarded the MBE for her services to archery and is an IOC “Hero of the Olympics”, concluded Colin Mitchell.

Neroli's funeral will be held at 2:30 pm on Thursday June 15, 2006 (New Zealand time).

Read the Tributes to Neroli Fairhall by Dave Henshaw and Cedric Gorman, editor of the Archer magazine, and other international messages on her loss.

For further information please contact:

Colin Mitchell, President Archery New Zealand, tel +61 27 4180867 (anytime)

Or Carole Hicks, MNZN, President Oceania Archery Confederation +61 21 0439771 (anytime)

Edited FITA Communication