Anoushka Johnson: an athlete and official seeing both sides on race day

Officials are an essential part to ensuring competitions can run. But officials are not just there out of necessity, they also help athletes to have a positive competitive experience. Anoushka Johnson is an endurance and track and field official who brings her experience as an athlete to encourage those competing.  

We recently caught up with Anoushka to discuss her officiating journey so far, her understanding of the athlete’s perspective and her ambitions for the future. 

Anoushka is an athlete herself, regularly completing parkruns and competing for her club, Central Park Athletics, at Southern Counties Veteran League and Southern Athletics League meets. She brings the perspective of the athlete into her officiating. 

“The most enjoyable part of officiating for me is learning new skills and seeing both sides of a race day. Being an athlete, you see it through an athlete's eyes, then as an official you see it totally differently. This helps me because I understand what an athlete is going through and then I can help them be reassured or speak to them in a way they understand." 

"This dual perspective means I can help new athletes of all ages get into competing. When they claim they're nervous, I can show them it isn't scary and it can be fun and enjoyable. I help them to believe they can do it."

Officiating at competitions and progressing through the qualification pathway has taught Anoushka transferable skills that impact her life beyond athletics and running. It has been important for her personal development. 

"I think being an official helps me deal with different situations in my day-to-day life. It keeps me calm and mindful of what people could be going through."

Anoushka loves officiating and has ambitions to progress further along the officiating pathway, so she can continue to improve athlete experience at competitions. 

"I enjoy going to different places and meeting new faces either competing or officiating. It is also great to continue learning new things to improve my awareness and I know that I could go a long way if I wish to on the officiating pathway. 

"I'm in the midst of doing my Level 3 Endurance qualification and am hoping during the next track and field season to do my Level 3 in Starter/ Starter's Assistant or my Level 2 Field qualification. 

"My advice to anyone thinking about joining the officiating community would be to go for it, take your time and enjoy the journey. You will meet amazing athletes & other officials."

Has Anoushka’s story inspired you to give officiating a go?