Tauranga teacher's own Commonwealth win

Stroll down memory lane. Rose Wright, known by her maiden name of Stirling in 1970, took her gold in an 800 metres run remembered for the closest finish in the event's history. Photo/John Borren

Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Tauranga teacher Rosemary Wright has been awarded an honorary doctorate for her sporting success.

Mrs Wright, previously known by her maiden name Stirling, won gold for Scotland in the 800m during the 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, a race which was notable for being one of the closest in the event's history, needing new photo-finish technology to determine the winner.

On June 18, the Tauranga Girls' College teacher was presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University of Glasgow. She was one of eight athletes deemed to have played important roles in Scotland and the Commonwealth Games in 1970 and 1986.

Mrs Wright was born in Canterbury to Scottish parents and was brought up in Whakatane, but moved to the UK as a teenager where she lived during her sporting career before returning to New Zealand.

She set a British record for the 800m at the Munich Olympics in 1972, where she finished seventh with a time of 2.00.15. Mrs Wright believed this record stood for about 33 years.

She said she was treated "like the Queen of England" during her return to Scotland as everything was taken care of for her.

"It was 44 years ago now that I won the medal and I'm still reaping the rewards of it all."

When she first got the letter inviting her to receive the honorary doctorate, Mrs Wright thought it was a hoax.

"One of the other guys who got one told me he thought it was a hoax too. He took his letter to a lawyer."

Times have changed since Mrs Wright was an international sportswoman.

In her day, Commonwealth Games athletes were amateurs and were not paid to compete. Most had full time jobs outside their sport.

Mrs Wright said it appeared many athletes, particularly in marathon races, chose not to take part in the Commonwealth Games anymore as with only three or so races a year, it was not worth attending, with thousands of dollars up for grabs at events such as the Boston Marathon.

"We didn't get paid in my day, not a cent. I think it is quite different now."

Her coach also worked full time, which affected when and how often she could train.

"He wasn't even a national coach, although he was great. He understood me and I understood him."

About 10 years of her life was spent competing internationally, then she turned to running marathons.

These days, Mrs Wright is a Jack of all trades at Tauranga Girls', looking after the Gateway programme, teaching the odd PE class, working on timetables and relieving.