Colin George Smith (1935 – 2014)

TVH is sad to report the death of Colin George Smith (2/8/1935-21/12/2014) who was a member of TVH for many years and ended as a Life member.  He represented Great Britain in Javelin from 1955-67 on 23 separate international teams and was GB Athletics team Captain on a number of occasions. He won the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal (javelin) at Cardiff in 1958 and won silver at Perth in 1962.

He joined TVH as a 15 year old in 1951 and was coached by Bill Plumridge, former TVH club captain in the 30s

In the early 1960s he gained his coaching qualifications. He was initially Southern Counties Staff Javelin Coach and was appointed Great Britain National Event Coach Javelin from 1969-72 before emigrating to Australia (in 1972)

He coached John Fitzsimmons (Gold Kingston 1966, bronze Edinburgh 1970) Dave Travis (Gold Edinburgh 1970, silver Christchurch 74) and John McSorley silver Edinburgh 1970).

In Australia he was the national event coach javelin for many years and ran coaching courses and clinics  throughout NSW and Queensland in Australia, in New Zealand and in South East Asia.  He was still coaching a private squad of younger athletes and running clinics up until a few days before his death, aged 79. He always talked fondly of his days at TVH.

Read more about Colin Smith’s life and achievements here:

http://www.nuts.org.uk/trackstats/colinsmith.htm