Solid Performance Earns Norma Chiddy Silver Cup from the Canadian Olympic Association and Place on Canadian Team
Calgary-born Norma Chiddy
was a student at Alexandra School in Wetaskiwin where she excelled as a student and an athlete. She was active playing basketball, badminton, hockey, curling and golf. After graduation, it was in track and field that Norma trained and competed
as a member of the Amateur Athletic Club of Wetaskiwin. She became a track
phenomenon, winning 20 medals at Provincial meets and setting three
Provincial records. It appears 1926 and 1927 were spent training.
Her dominant years were 1928 to 1931.
In 1929 she was recognized
as the Dominion's Track and Field Aggregate Champion (Canada) and received a
silver cup from the Canadian Olympic Association which earned her a
place on the Canadian Team competing at the British Empire Games in
Vancouver the next year. At the 1930 Provincial meet in Lethbridge,
Chiddy claimed three gold in the 100 yard sprint, shot put, and discus;
silver in high jump; and bronze in the 220 yard sprint.
Norma suffered a serious
ankle injury and was not able to compete in Vancouver or other
competitions for the following five year period. She resumed competition
in 1936.
Norma continued her avid interest in sports throughout
the rest of her life, with golfing and curling becoming her main
pursuits.
Highlights of her Achievements
In 1928 and 1929, Norma participated and excelled
in sprint and jump events:
1928 ‑ Banff ‑ Alberta Branch of
WAA Union of Canada
1st ‑ 100 yards sprint (equalled
provincial
record) and 220 yards sprint
1st - set new provincial record High Jump
2nd ‑ Broad Jump
1929 ‑ Wetaskiwin ‑ Provincial Track and Field Meet ‑
WAA Federation of Canada
1st ‑ Standing Broad Jump; Running Broad Jump;
Running High Jump;
Hop, Step and Jump
2nd ‑ 100 yards sprint; 220 yards sprint;
Shot Put
1930 and 1931, Norma participated and excelled in
sprint and throw events:
1930 ‑ Lethbridge ‑ Provincial Track and Field Meet ‑
WAA Federation of Canada.
Ist ‑ 100 yard sprint; Discus; Shot Put
2nd ‑ Javelin; Intermediate Relay
3rd ‑ 220 yard sprint
1931 ‑ Wetaskiwin August 13, 14 Women's
Dominion Track
and Field - WAA Federation of Canada
2nd ‑ 100 yard hurdles
3rd ‑ Javelin; Discus
1936 ‑ Wetaskiwin ‑ Provincial Track and Field ‑ WAA
Federation
2nd ‑ 220 yard sprint; Discus
3rd ‑ Javelin
Provincial records in Track & Field
Was the holder of these records in 1936:
100 yard sprint (tied ‑ 11.4sec)
220 yard sprint
Standing Broad Jump ‑ 7 feet 1/2 inch
Run, Hop, Step and Jump ‑ 28 feet 9 inches
Aggregate Championships
1928, 1929 and 1931 ‑ Women's Amateur Provincial Track
Field Aggregate Champion ‑ Alberta Branch
1929 ‑ Women's Dominion of Canada Track and Field
Aggregate Champion ‑ Olympic Association of Canada.
Notes since induction:
Though she thrived on the competitions she also worked at the Imperial Bank of Commerce in Wetaskiwin, was active in her church and the community. She was a Sunday School Teacher, volunteered with a catering group at another church, canvassed for various charities, while supporting her husband in his business and raising four children,
The Central Alberta Regional Museums Network selected Norma as one of the Women of Aspenland in which her write-up states:
"Norma was an original chauffeuring mom, driving her children and their friends to various sporting, church, school, scouting and guiding activities. She also delivered papers when her sons were too busy to do their routes and squired her mother and her mother's friends about. In addition, she loved bridge and played for over 50 years with the same group. She was also an avid reader and crossword puzzle fan."
What comes across most strikingly from things documented about Norma Chiddy MacEachern by her family and friends is that she possessed a sense of fair play and was a strong supporter of family, family values, and friendship. She was always a steady presence and encouraged her family in their various pursuits. She had a competitive spirit, especially competition with self to be better - in whatever a person embarked upon he or she should strive to excel,