Theresa Herd (nee Griffin) grew up in Hamilton, swimming since the age of 12 in the little high-performance swimming club that no longer exists, the Te Rapa Rovers.
Theresa was born with a misshapen pelvis and missing left hip socket and she used swimming as highly beneficial rehabilitation therapy for her leg. She quickly transformed this therapy into a competitive sports career, qualifying for many international events.
Theresa made her Paralympic debut at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. She made the 100m butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke and 200m Individual Medley finals in Athens. Swimming Waikato have had her achievements honoured with the display of an honorary plaque at Waterworld in Hamilton, along with 11 other Paralympians and Olympians.
She now lives in New Plymouth, still swims recreationally, in between balancing her career as a chartered accountant and family life. A feature story on Theresa can be found here.
Theresa officially received her ‘numbered’ Paralympic pin as part of The Celebration Project in New Plymouth in September 2019.
