Barry Parker: 1947-2025

We are sad to announce that athletics stalwart Barry Parker, died last week after a long illness. He was very supportive of England Athletics, including being an officiating tutor, a long-standing and very involved member of Regional Council including a stint as Chair for the East Midlands Region and on England Council with the officiating portfolio.

Barry’s passion was athletics. He began as a schoolboy, running cross-country and middle-distance races, including 880 yards – his favourite event. He eventually competed at a level high enough to win the Junior Boy's title at the English Schools' Championships in 1963.

Barry trained to teach PE and Geography at Loughborough College of Education. While a PE student at Loughborough College, he qualified as a technical official in three disciplines and officiated occasionally, mostly at school events. During his working life, Barry was a secondary school PE teacher, where he had the chance to introduce thousands of children to different sports.

As a club member, he had undertaken the role of Chair at Derby Athletic Club, and was involved in the Derbyshire Athletics Network and the Derbyshire Schools’ Sports Association. On a regional and national scale he was Honorary Vice-President of the English Schools' AA, Secretary, Officials' Secretary and President of Derbyshire Athletics Association, and a Secretary of Northern Athletics.

Ian Roberts recounted, "As a member of the ESAA general committee, Barry was one of the kindest people I have ever worked with. I could not have asked for a more supportive ally during my two years as Chairman."

Officiating colleague Ken Burkett recalled:

"When I joined the ESAA over 20 years ago Barry was among those who took the time and care to welcome me and help me navigate the events and organisation. The kindest, most helpful and caring man in the sport. He was always on hand with a story and a considered thought."

It wasn't until about 20 years after gaining his initial officiating qualifications that Barry took up officiating more seriously. As a spectator at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and while watching the athletics he thought he could do what the Officials were doing! So he re-joined Derby & County AC in 1987. He travelled with the Club to Young Athletes meetings, Northern Leagues, Northern and National Championships. Within a few years he'd moved up through the officiating ranks - achieving International Track Referee status in the mid 1990s. At the same time he was officiating in Endurance events before there were any courses and reporting.

As a dedicated official as well as Regional and National Council member he was a great advocate of the England Athletics officiating programme: a tutor, National Officials’ Forum organiser and participant, and contributor to our officiating magazine which ran from 2009 to 2014. He was also England Athletics Officials Tri-regional Secretary for Midlands and South West tri-region.

Mark Wall succeeded Barry as Regional Chairman:

"I will miss him deeply as he always treated me with the utmost respect as we tried to set the athletics world to rights."

Barry turned towards officials administration in 2006 but had been tutoring courses for several years before that, and the was a long-serving County Endurance Officials Secretary (COfSec).

Officiating colleague Gaye Clark reacted to the news:

"He worked so hard to promote athletics and support his fellow officials."

Over the years he was selected for all the major Championships held in England – both indoors and outdoors – Commonwealth Games 2002, World Indoor Championships 2003, European Indoor Championships 2007, Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012, European Team Championships 2013, European Disabled Championships 2014, World Athletics and Para Athletics Championships 2017. But his proudest achievement in officiating was being selected as a Track Judge in the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics.  

In a past interview with Barry, he told us,

"Although officiating seriously for about 34 years I still get a buzz from working with many like-minded people and the camaraderie. I enjoy helping new, younger Officials to progress along the Officials pathway and hope that they receive the same level of enjoyment from Officiating that I have been lucky to enjoy."

Many of those then new officials will remember Barry fondly and appreciate the time he took in helping them to develop:

Barry was a great help to me as I progressed through the levels of officiating always friendly and wise. Lynda Plumpton

Barry was a true gentleman, and so helpful, knowledgeable and kind to me when I began my officiating journey. Elaine Williams

I had the pleasure of working many events with him. Always willing to pass on his knowledge to the next group of officials. James Charters

Cherie D'Silva summed up on Facebook:

"The testaments of his support for other officials and his love of athletics will, I hope, give some comfort to his wife Ruth, and children Steve and Karen, and demonstrate the love, admiration and respect from his wider athletics family."

Thank you Barry from us all.