I was sitting outside the Millennium Pool this morning waiting to time Eyad for a main set of 10×200 swim and 1×400 kick. The complex was packed with swimmers. It was the first day of the 2018 NZ Age Group Championships. One of the lifeguards told me that 800 swimmers have entered the meet. I can believe it. The place was like a zoo; anxious parents running about finding water to “hydrate” their children, coaches unsure how to work their three expensive Seiko stopwatches.

The first morning of this meet has always been the same. Hundreds of enthusiastic young swimmers certain this was their first step towards making the next Commonwealth Games team in Birmingham, England. As the five days go by I’ve noticed the mood darkens, the activity becomes less frenetic as the reality of disqualifications and modest results begins to bite. The reality is that of the 40 swimmers entering an event, 10 make the final, 3 get a medal and 1 wins. Potentially every event has 39 disappointed parents who can’t wait to get back to the motel to sooth their nerves with an over generous gin and tonic.

But none of that mattered this morning. Today was all about a happy mix of excitement and anticipation. As I sat enjoying the atmosphere I was aware of a young woman walking up to me.

“Hello David,” she said, “Do you remember me?”

I had to admit that I had no idea of her identity. “Do you remember Michelle Burke?” she said.

“Oh my God, you aren’t?” I said.

Let me tell you about Michelle Burke. When I was appointed CEO of the Boys and Girls Institute Club in Wellington, later to become the Capital Club, Michelle Burke was their best swimmer. She was the national 100, 200 and 400 freestyle champion. However, I felt that if she was to progress, to become a truly international competitor, I needed to get her better coaching. I went to Auckland and approached Auckland coaches, Lincoln Hurring and Ross Anderson. Did they have any ideas of a coach who could help me in Wellington? Both suggested the same name.

Lincoln’s son Gary had just completed four years swimming at the University of Hawaii. He had won the Commonwealth Games, been second in the World Championships, won the Sportsman of the Year, Halberg Award, and placed fourth in the Olympic Games. Even better he had just arrived back in New Zealand and was looking for a job.

Gary and I discussed the Wellington position for half an hour. A deal was done and Gary was on his way to Wellington. Right from the beginning he was a brilliant asset. Every swimmer in the team benefited from his warm personality and international experience. But especially Michelle Burke thrived and prospered.

From our club Michelle and Toni Jeffs were selected to swim in the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games. Michelle had a huge program swimming the individual 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, the 100 butterfly and the 4×100 and 4×200 freestyle relays. Her teams placed fourth in the 4×100 and won a bronze medal in the 4×200 relay.

I remember two things about that time. First of all Michelle was a genuinely nice person. Modest and happy she was a lovely person to be around. She was the best middle distance freestyle swimmer in the country but you would never have thought it. Good people can win. Gary Hurring and Michelle were the perfect coach and swimmer match. And second, her kick was outstanding. I’ve never seen a swimmer kick the way Michelle could through a 200 and 400 freestyle. It was worth going to training just to watch her kick sets.

But what was she doing in Auckland? Well, unbelievably she has two daughters of her own now. Even more unbelievable the oldest is 13 years old and is swimming in the Age Group Championships. Brooke is a good 1.04 100 freestyle swimmer. I asked Michelle about her daughter’s swimming and straight away the wisdom of her class was apparent.

“I’m only letting her swim one event most days,” she said. Compare that to the Michael Phelps Beijing programs followed by dozens of swimmers at this meet. Michelle was working at avoiding her daughter adding to swimming’s 90% drop-out rate.

“Where are you staying in Auckland?” I asked.

“I’m staying with Megan Luff,” she said.

There was another name from the old days. Megan swam for the Waterhole Club. She represented New Zealand at the Auckland 1990 Commonwealth Games in the 50 freestyle and 4×100 freestyle relay. And so 50% of that relay team were sharing a week in Auckland. What a reunion.

It was great to catch up with Michelle again. She was an important part of a fantastic period in New Zealand swimming; a period that included names like Simcic, Jeffs, Langrell, Mosse, Kingsman and Sanders. But more important she is as nice, as modest and kind as she was almost thirty years ago. It is hugely pleasing to know that good things have happened to good people.