Merv Richards
Mervyn David Richards was a New Zealand pole vaulter, who represented his country at three British Empire and Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal in [New Zealand at the New Zealand at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1958]. He went on to become a successful coach in both pole vault and gymnastics.
Early life and family
Born in Oamaru on 16 November 1930, Richards was the youngest child of David Llewellyn Richards and Hephzibah Richards. After leaving Oamaru, the family lived briefly in Waitati, before moving to Dunedin where Richards was educated at King Edward Technical College. When he was 16 years old, he began training as an optical technician, and worked in that occupation until he retired.In 1958, Richards married Margaret Winifred Garrod—who won the national women's javelin title in 1957 and 1958—at Mosgiel Anglican church. The couple went on to have three children, including Deborah Hurst who won a bronze medal in gymnastics at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.
Pole vault
Competitor
Richards won the New Zealand national pole vault title 11 years in succession, from 1952 to 1962. He also represented New Zealand in the pole vault at three consecutive British Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1950 to 1958. At the 1950 Empire Games in Auckland, he finished eighth with a height of. Four years later, at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, he cleared to finish in fifth place. Finally, at the 1958 games in Cardiff, he won the bronze medal after a countback, with a vault of.Richards won the British AAA Championships title at the 1958 AAA Championships.