Caroline Bird: 1968-2024
England Athletics was sorry to hear that Caroline Bird passed away earlier this month after a long battle with cancer. The English Schools' AA are deeply saddened at the loss of one of their General Committee members. She was also Buckinghamshire AA President. Caroline had been runner up for the England Athletics South East volunteer award for Contribution to Athletics and Running a few months ago.
Lynne Pope, a Trustee of the ESAA said:
"Caroline played such a large part in schools' athletics for many years. She will have touched so many young athletes lives and her commitment at grass roots, county and national levels was immeasurable. Caroline gave her time so freely and was so dedicated to supporting young athletes in Buckinghamshire and as a Team Manager with ESAA. Caroline will be missed by so many of the ESAA family and beyond."
Her volunteer award was nominated by the mother of one of her athletes who has benefitted anormously through Caroline's supportive relationship. She said that Caroline worked tirelessly to organise teams for all the Southern England Inter County Cross Country events, Buckinghamshire teams for National Cross Country events and English Schools' AA fixtures, the South East team for the Mini London Marathan.
As a coach, she built positive and supportive relationships with all the girls in her squad, encouraging and congratulating them with their running over many years. She fostered an excellent team spirit and sportsmanship within her teams, encouraging them to enjoy the experience of racing and to tackle obstacles together.
Athletics in Buckinghamshire, the South East and beyond will be much poorer for her loss.