The Best is Yet to Come

Beatrice Faumuina had planned to make the 2012 London Olympic Games her last, however fate stepped in and delivered her best role yet. 

By Farida Master

There’s nothing more powerful or overwhelming than standing on the winner’s podium while hearing the national anthem and the New Zeeland flag being raised. Any athlete who wins a World Championship title will vouch that the incredible feeling of utmost pride stays with you forever. For Beatrice Faumuina, the unrivalled queen of discus throwing, it’s been more than once that she’s experienced this euphoric golden moment.

After competing at four Olympic Games, five World Championships and five Commonwealth Games, Beatrice zoomed into the international orbit of sporting heroes when she was declared New Zealand’s First World Track and Field Champion in Athens in 1997. She proudly led the nation as the flag bearer of the Olympic team in Athens in 2004 and made international headlines as she twice won Gold in discus at the Commonwealth Games at Kaula Lumpur in 1998 and Manchester 2002. Her towering achievements in a particularly iconic sport include being the New Zealand title holder 15 times and winning an avalanche of awards. In 2005, Beatrice was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to New Zealand Athletics. 

Watching the finishing touches being put on her makeup for this cover shoot, it’s a little surreal to see the once-reigning champion discus thrower at as much ease in a feminine ensemble at a designer studio as she is slipping into her track pants on the field. Beatrice is remarkably modest as she casually talks about having lunch with Her Majesty, the Queen in the same breath as she describes her terrifying audition for the current events programme Tagata Pasifika on TVNZ. “Trying to read the autocue without moving my head from side to side was a nerve-wrecking experience,” she laughs. Her honesty is equally endearing as she openly admits to being the quintessential adrenalin junkie – she desperately wants to participate in the Amazing Race.

Beatrice Faumuina’s passion for life is infectious. Her deep desire to make the most of every opportunity is inspiring. She reveals that it’s just an integral part of her upbringing.
“I grew up in a household of three generations of women and I realised from a very young age that my family had taken a leap of faith in order to give the next generation a better life. The decision to migrate from Samoa to New Zealand was to allow the next generation a choice of opportunities,” she says, giving a backdrop of her humble beginnings that dared her to dream big and work towards it. “There was no time to waste or will to give up,” she says simply, throwing light on how the deep desire to succeed was born. “I wanted to make the most of every opportunity,” she observes.

Setting definite goals for herself, the girl from Wesley Intermediate School, tried her hand at every individual and team sport in school. “It helped build character, taught me team spirit and defined my career,” remembers Beatrice (one of the tallest girls in the class).
From being the girl who treasured her only pair of athletic shoes to the go-getting CEO of BEST Leadership Academy she exudes confidence. Beatrice believes the ongoing support and love from her late grandmother and mother played a significant part in shaping her life and career. “I quickly learnt from my mother that a family that eats together stays together. Sharing a meal together with your family and friends means you can share, seek help and advice,” she says thoughtfully. 

Beatrice quickly learnt that the best way to overcome a challenge was to first take a plunge and then figure out how to go about it. “I’m aware that one cannot always be successful and that sometimes the result can be disappointing, but I’ve learnt how to turn disappointment into positive energy. This can become the energy that drives you to succeed.” This mantra has enabled her to tap her inner potential for every job—whether it’s being New Zealand’s first World Champion or championing a cause.

As Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) since 2005, Beatrice works towards increasing public awareness about issues related to sustainable food, hunger and poverty in the world. “If I’m asked me to go on a mission, I will go to serve,” she says emphatically.
It’s with the same gusto that she decided to take on another challenge and change her regular routine for a very different one. She rates her high impact stint on Dancing with the Stars television series as one of the most fulfilling experiences she’s ever had. “I have a lot of fond memories of the show,” she reminisces. “I’d reached a stage where I needed a break. I was physically and mentally tired from competing in athletics that I needed to do something completely different. So when I was asked to participate as a contestant I said yes to the 2006 season of Dancing with the Stars, although I soon discovered that I had two left feet,” she laughs. “What was incredible was hearing we had over a million Kiwi viewers watching the show every Sunday night. For many months I was Beatrice Faumuina, Dancing with the Stars contestant instead of Beatrice Faumuina, the athlete,” she says. 

“For many years after my dance partner and dear friend, Brian Jones and I were asked to perform at various shows, corporate events and fundraisers. Then, in my role as Waitakere City Ambassador, I was asked to find an initiative that would allow Waitakere residents to become more active and have fun. That’s how the Ballroom and Latin Dance classes began at the Kelston Community Centre, West Auckland. This became a very social event. For 10 weeks on Tuesday night members of the community joined us to learn to dance. We had an average of 85-95 participants a week. It was just brilliant!” she gushes. 

The successful athlete’s life is ruled by the irrefutable desire to give back. Her conversations are often laced with gratitude for the people who have supported her. “I am very mindful of the people who allowed me to achieve my goals. My first coach, the late Mirian Stanley, was always there for me when I needed her support and advice. Though she was very busy with her family, she welcomed us into her world. I hope one day I can return this act of kindness for someone. If Miriam had not agreed to coach me I may not have become a discus thrower. I also played softball and netball, representing Auckland in all three sports while at Lynfield college.’’

“After 20 years of competing internationally for New Zealand, I’d like to think I have learnt many valued lessons that would be beneficial for the next generation of discus throwers. I’d love to be involved with an Olympic Games or Commonwealth Games in some way,” says the winner who took it all!
Beatrice will be watching the New Zealand team perform at the 2012 London Olympics closely, and is confident they will compete with distinction, “Provided there are no injuries,” she cautions. “I’m feeling really positive about the New Zealand team’s chances.”

Talking about the dramatic highs and lows that have destroyed many a sporting career, New Zealand’s favourite daughter opens up about the rough time she went through when she almost threw in the towel. “The 1996 Olympics was my first Olympic campaign and almost my last. I now know that I didn’t have the training or the experience that was needed to compete well there. I did not reach the final and returned home feeling very disappointed. I wanted to walk away from the sport. So I spoke with my mother about it at length and she asked me, ‘Would you be able to live with the regrets if you left the sport?’ Then she asked, ‘Do you believe you have fulfilled your potential to achieve?’” 

“In less than a year everything, changed,” she states with a smile. “It was an incredibly moving moment when I became New Zealand’s first World Champion on August 7, 1997. There were so many emotions – excitement, relief, joy, happiness, being overwhelmed. I was really thankful that I was able to compete at that level and intensity after a disappointing Olympics,” she relates. 

Apart from the sporting field there have been many more memories of pure, unadulterated joy for the sporting phenomena with a fierce hunger for life. Bursting with excitement she talks about her current role as the inaugural CEO for BEST Pasifika Leadership Academy and Charitable Foundation. “We are committed to developing the next generation of Pasifika leaders for Aotearoa. The BEST Leadership Programme is in partnership with the University of Auckland. There is no doubt in my mind our Leadership Programme provides a solution and a pathway to identify key Pasifika men and women whose goal is to aspire to Senior Executive roles. I’ve seen already the positive influence and transformational shift within our 2011 inaugural cohort. I have been blessed to meet and work with incredible leaders, pioneering sponsors and companies that share the same purpose.” 

Beatrice points out that competing at the 2012 London Olympic Games was the original plan. “This was going to be my final year of representing New Zealand. Instead, an incredible opportunity was presented instead. As an athlete I had always worked towards a life after sport, which meant working part-time and/or completing papers towards my business degree. I did this so when the time came to retire I was not left wondering what to do next. I’d always hoped that the transition from being an athlete to working full-time would not be too difficult. Plus, I knew that I would have to be incredibly patient because sport is constantly measured by a specific date, time and distance whereas in business there are many more complexities to understand and learn from. There was no prior championship to compare your performances to, so let the journey begin.

“Sadly, I feel many sports people may not be given the opportunity to prepare for life after sport. So when I received a phone call from Mai Chen, founding partner of Chen Palmer and Best Public Law Firm for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; and Anita Finnigan, Director of BEST, Pacific Institute of Education to share their vision of changing and enhancing the lives of the Pasifika community, I really could not say no. Instead, my response was ‘Yes and how,’ ” she says reliving the moment. 

The Best Leadership Programme is an 18-month offering that unlocks the limitations of, and develops the leadership mindset and skill set that will define and develop our Pasifika leaders both professionally and personally. The programme offers two business acumen papers at the University of Auckland and a Distinguished Leadership Speakers series. “This is our public offering. We have hosted Tony Falkenstein, CEO Just Water International and Kevin Roberts, Worldwide CEO Saatchi & Saatchi. Plus, we have a Pasifika Mat Series and mentoring. Go to www.bestleaders.ac.nz for more information,” she informs.
If you ask her about the milestones that mark her career and back comes the reply “There have been many, but the best is yet to come! It’s a work-in-progress!” The sporting legend is visibly moved when she talks about having the honour of being featured on a Samoan stamp. “I’m just a girl from New Zealand who started in humble beginnings,” she says choking with emotion. “I just feel incredibly honoured and overwhelmed by this recognition. The words ‘Thank you’ seem inadequate to express how grateful I am!”
 
Farida Master
www.best.ac.nz