Avis Fletcher

An outstanding all round athlete during the 1950’s and 60’s, as Avis Brain, Avis McIntosh in 1958 and Avis Fletcher in 1998. Born in 1938. At Avondale College in 1953, she won the 100 yards senior girls when she was 14.

Not only a top hurdler in her day, Fletcher also competed in the long jump and cross country. Competing for the Lynndale Club she won 24 Auckland titles including ten straight in the hurdles, long jump five times, pentathlon three time, and high jump, 75 yards and 100 yards once each. She was also Auckland cross country champion for three years 1954-56.

Avis won the following New Zealand titles: 100m 1963, 80m hurdles eight years in a row 1958-65, Long jump 1966. New Zealand records, seven in the hurdles 1961-64 and in 1961 the pentathlon and as a member of the 4 x 100m and 4 x 110 yards relay teams.

In the 1962 Perth British Empire and Commonwealth Games Avis finished first in her heat in 10.8s and earned the bronze medal in the final of the 80m hurdles in 11.4s. She also won the bronze medal in the 4 x 110 yards relay in 46.9s with Nola Bond, Yvonne Cowan and Doreen Porter.

In the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, as Olympian #190, Avis was third in her heat of the 80m hurdles in 10.8, and fifth in the first semi-final in 10.9. She was also fourth in her 100m heat in 12.0 and sixth in the first quarter final in 12.0.

Later in masters athletics Fletcher achieved records in the long jump, high jump, 100 metres, hammer, and discus all at 50 years of age. She then went on to get the records for discus, high jump, hammer, javelin & long jump as a 60 years old.

Written by Murray McKinnon