Kate Brown

The words from the presentation to Kate at the Sports Assembly Wednesday 23 October 2024.

Good evening, everyone.

Today, we gather to celebrate an extraordinary individual who exemplifies dedication, resilience, and the power of sport. It is my honor to present the SMCOGA Award for Sport for 2024 to Kate Brown, nee Thomson.

Kate attended St. Margaret's College from 1989 to 1993, and her journey began with an unwavering commitment to her studies and sports. In her final year, she served as Vice Captain of the rowing team during the most successful season in our school's history to that date, a remarkable achievement that showcased her leadership and determination.

Her talent didn’t stop there. After her time at St. Margaret’s, Kate joined the New Zealand Junior Rowing Team, where she had the incredible opportunity to compete in Adelaide. There, she and her teammates triumphed against Australia in both the eights and fours, solidifying her status as a formidable athlete.

Rowing is not for the faint of heart. It requires immense physical fitness, relentless training, and a deep commitment—early mornings, late nights, and long weekends spent on the water and in the gym. Throughout this rigorous journey at school, Kate balanced her responsibilities as a joint Head Prefect, laying the groundwork for her future successes.

After school, Kate pursued a career in the police force, showcasing her dedication to serving her community. She later married and became a proud mother to two young daughters. However, a few years later, Kate faced unimaginable challenges with the loss of her husband. It was just before this difficult time that she rediscovered her passion for fitness and sport, demonstrating remarkable strength and resilience.

In 2018 Kate had set herself a goal of qualifying for the Ironman 70.3 World Champs in France.  In 2019 Kate achieved this qualification and was also selected in the NZ Age Group Triathlon Team to compete in Switzerland, but priorities took over and she stayed at home to care for her husband. She qualified again in 2020 but this was cancelled due to covid. 2021 was selected for NZ world champs but no travel due to covid. Finally in 2023 she joined the NZ team in the World Multisport Champs in Spain and became the world champion in Aquabike 45-49 age group and 5th overall. Also in 2023 competed in her first IronMan and qualified for the world champs and placed 29th in her age group. 2024 saw Kate qualify for the World Champs and has recently returned from this placing 46th.
 

A few words from Kate:

I am surprised and very honoured to receive this award.  

Sport has been a huge part of my life and it really began when I was at St Margaret's.  I turned up to row as a novice in 1989 in one of the first rowing crews from the school. It was not long after that Trudy Keys arrived to coach rowing and she along with Julie Seymour as A netball coach became influential in my sporting career.  Under Trudy we won Maadi titles and I was selected in the NZ Junior rowing team for 3 years in a row with Trudy being my NZ coach for two of these years.  It is incredible to see both of these women still associated with St Margaret's!

My success in rowing continued when I left school, rowing in the New Zealand Under 23s for 3 years and winning multiple National titles including in the single (coached by Trudy's husband George!). Unfortunately I was forced to retire from rowing due to injury and I joined the Police (serving for 24 years.)

At Police College I got back into netball which I continued for a number of years.

In 2016 I was drawn back into a rowing boat, training in a masters crew of old New Zealand team mates. I realised how much I missed the challenge of sport, and that I was pretty unfit!  It was this that prompted me to sign up for the Tauranga Half Ironman, having never done a triathlon.  I completed this -and was hooked.

I have now competed in multiple triathlons, half ironman and ironman races here and around the world.

Kate Brown is a shining example of what can be achieved through perseverance and focus, no matter the challenges we face. She reminds us that sport can provide purpose and direction, even in the most overwhelming times. 

Today, we celebrate Kate’s remarkable achievements and honor her with the SMCOGA Award for Sport for 2024. Congratulations, Kate, on this well-deserved recognition!

Thank you.