A Homecoming on the Track: Noni Callander’s Return to Nuku‘alofa

When Noni Callander walked back into Teufaiva Stadium for the Oceania Cup, she stepped into a familiar world. The venue had changed in small ways, the traffic on Nuku‘alofa’s streets had multiplied, but the memories were immediate. For Noni, a New Zealand Masters athlete and former volunteer teacher and coach in Tonga, this year’s event was as much a reunion as it was a competition.

More than twenty years have passed since she last lived in Tonga. During the late 1990s and early 2000s she worked as a VSA volunteer supporting young teachers, before joining St Andrew’s College to establish a sports academy. In those five years she formed deep connections with young athletes and the wider community, helping develop training structures that stretched beyond the traditional build-up to the Inter College meet.

“I was really excited to be returning. I hoped I would see the athletes I coached, managed and travelled with. I hoped we would still recognise each other,” she said. “Many buildings, churches, coconuts, Teufaiva itself, the sea shore. So much looked the same. The biggest change was the transport. So many cars. We used to walk, take the bus or ride in the back of a truck.”

Those early years in Tonga came back to her quickly. She remembered the homes she lived in, from Takuialau among the coconuts to sharing a house with a Colombian volunteer and adopting her first dog, Pulga. She recalled the welcoming communities on Ha‘apai, Vava‘u and ‘Eua who took her swimming, on boat rides and on scenic walks. She also remembered the committed group of young athletes who became like family. They trained outside the traditional season, travelled together to national and regional championships and helped her build the first children’s athletics club in Nuku‘alofa.

Noni coaching Tongan athlete Unikoni Kivalu in Nuku’alofa | Noni at the World Athletics Championships Edmonton 2001

Reuniting with Former Athletes

The emotional highlight of the trip was seeing the athletes she once coached now lining up as Masters competitors.

“It was heart warming,” she said. “They were happy to see me and I was thrilled to spend time talking about their families and their lives in Tonga.”

Many of her former athletes have continued contributing to Tongan sport. Sesi Salt, a former hurdler who travelled with her to the World Championships in Eugene, is now the Head Coach of the national team. He worked alongside fellow former athletes Latai Sikuvea, Lata Mausia and Patiola Tali at the Oceania Cup, all of whom have coached at their old colleges over the years.

For this Masters competition they decided to step back onto the track for the first time in two decades. They entered familiar events, tried new ones, and rediscovered their strength. They won medals and represented Tonga proudly.

Noni also reunited with athletes from other parts of the Pacific. She was especially pleased to see Eleni Pelesikoti return to competition after more than 20 years. Eleni won the shot put in the 60+ women’s group with a throw of 8.82 metres, beating experienced competitors from Australia and New Zealand. She also crossed paths again with former Samoan middle distance runner Aunese Curreen, who quickly recognised her and was back in action in the 800 metres.

Former Athletes now coaching and competing in Tonga as Masters Atheltes

A Lifetime in Athletics

Noni has been connected to athletics for almost 70 years. She first discovered her talent at age eight at a primary school sports day in Hastings.

“I won my sprint by a good distance. That night I was so excited I could not sleep” she said.

She went on to join clubs in Frankton, Levin and Christchurch, training under coach Valdy Briedis. Through decades of competition, officiating, coaching and organising, athletics has taken her across New Zealand and around the world. It has given her friendships, opportunities, and lifelong joy.

Milestones stand out vividly. Winning her first inter school race. Standing on the podium at the Waikato Championships as a 10-year-old. Marching into the stadium at her first Masters World Championships in Brisbane. Hearing the chant of “Kiwi Kiwi” as she raced the 400 metres. Managing and coaching the Tongan team at the Manchester Commonwealth Games. And now, at 78, competing with two replaced knees and two replaced hips, producing lifetime best throws in the shot put and weight throw.

As her career has shifted from junior athlete to Masters competitor, so has her mindset.

“As a junior I trained regularly and competed to my very best all the time. As a Masters athlete my outlook is more casual and less competitive,” she said. “I enjoy the social side, the friendships and helping others.”

Being back at Teufaiva Stadium with her former athletes was her standout memory from this year’s event. She also produced a lifetime best in the shot put with 8.46 metres.

Noni competing as 10year old (left) 2nd | Noni competing at the Oceania Cup as a Masters Athlete.

Noni continues in Masters athletics because she enjoys the sport, the challenge, the friendships and the travel. She likes testing new techniques that suit her body as it ages.

Because of arthritis, Noni has not been able to run since age 60. It took time to love throwing as much as she loved sprinting, but it is now where she thrives. Her favourite events are the shot put, weight throw and the throws pentathlon. Producing a life time best in the Shot Put in Nuku’alofa

I am continuing as a Masters athlete as I enjoy participating in my favourite sport. I enjoy trying my best and achieving pleasing results( sometimes!), experimenting and finding the best techniques to suit my body as it ages, I enjoy the friendships made with fellow athletes, getting a lot of pleasure from watching and encouraging them plus celebrating their successes too. I like being outdoors, I like being active and as fit as possible at my age. I have travelled to so many interesting countries through my athletic involvement…I have been truly blessed.

When asked if she has a message for anyone thinking about returning to sport later in life is simple. “I do, encourage folks of any age to give sport a go again…. whatever their age and however long they have been away from sport it is possible to start again.. join a local group eg Masters Athletics where you will enjoy great company, improved physical and mental health, grow new skills and have lots of laughs.”

Noni and the Masters 50+ Shot Put competitiors

Noni’s return to Nuku‘alofa brought her full circle, reconnecting her with the people and places that shaped some of her most meaningful years in sport. Her time at the Oceania Cup showed how deeply those bonds endure and how the track can bring past and present together in a single moment. She leaves Tonga grateful, proud and reminded of the lasting impact of shared experiences in athletics.

—ENDS—