14 Facts About Arch Jelley

Arch Jelley has been an athletics coach for over six decades and coached at Olympic level up until his mid-90s.

Arch Jelley was born in Dunedin on 13 August 1922, into a family that was heavily involved in sport.

Arch Jelley's father, Albert Edward Jelley, was a first-class cricket umpire.

Arch Jelley was a pupil at Mornington School from 1927 to 1935, and joined the Mornington Harrier Club at the age of 18.

Arch Jelley married Rachel in 1953, and she was his partner until her death in 2000.

In 2002, Arch Jelley married Jean, whom he had met through playing bridge, and between them have eight children, 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Arch Jelley began his teaching career in rural Wanganui and then moved to Wellington.

Arch Jelley served as principal at Sunnybrae for more than 20 years.

Arch Jelley took Neville Scott to the 5000 metres final at the 1964 Summer Olympics and helped Ian Studd win bronze in the mile at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.

Arch Jelley retired from coaching in 2000, to put more time into bridge and lawn bowls.

Arch Jelley's first wife Rachel knew he was a keen card player and encouraged him to attend the Mt Albert Bridge Club, where he has been involved since 1990.

Arch Jelley has been a tutor since 1996 and was president for ten years from 2003.

In 2007, Arch Jelley received a Sparc lifetime achievement award for coaching excellence, and an Athletics New Zealand merit award in 2009.

Arch Jelley was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2021 New Years Honours, for his work as a coach and an administrator in athletics and bridge.