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Officiating

3 officials with clipboards

Playing a part in greatness. Officials - the unsung heroes of athletics 

When you see the golden moments at championships, whether they be world records at the Olympic Games or a personal best at an England Championships, it is the officials who make those opportunities possible - working hard in the background to make sure things work like clockwork. From looking at the picture of a race in photofinish to measuring a triple jump, there are so many different officiating roles out there at grassroots and national level for officials to get involved with.  
Freya Webb at UKA indoor champs

Young official Freya Webb talks about her officiating journey

Freya Webb is a club athlete turned official, having qualified in a number of disciplines is now a Level 3 field judge. In February this year Freya officiated at the UKA National Indoor Championships in Birmingham for her first national selection event. As is common for a first appointment, Freya was an athlete steward.  
Chris Jones presenting medals at ECCA cross country relays

CEO Blog: March 2025

As the winter draws to a close and the outdoor track and field season gets closer, England Athletics CEO Chris Jones gives his overview of the recent months in our sport.
Ernie Cripps receiving award

99 year old club volunteer presented with long service award

There are just 12 active athletics volunteers recorded on our membership database who are aged over 95. Ernie Cripps is one of them. Ernie doesn’t like a fuss, so England Athletics CEO Chris Jones, Chair of East Midlands Regional Council Jane Pidgeon, and Club Support Manager Heidi Bradley attended under the guise of an ordinary club engagement visit.
Don Turner as an athlete and receiving volunteer award in 2023

Don Turner: 1937-2025

England Athletics is saddened to hear that athletics stalwart Don Turner died on Sunday 9 March. Don was a member of Epsom and Ewell Harriers for 70 years. As an athlete, then an official, he dedicated most of his life to athletics in Surrey, the southeast and beyond. He was presented with an England Athletics Services to Athletics volunteer award in 2023.
Field official Mike Oakley

Mike Oakley: 1942-2024

Following a long and determined fight against cancer, top level Field Official, England Athletics tutor, mentor, outstanding club volunteer for Orwell Panthers, and dedicated committee member for Suffolk County Athletics, Mike Oakley passed away this week peacefully with his family present.
Female officials checking results

Providing competition management opportunities to female officials

England Athletics are committed to providing female officials with opportunities to gain valuable experience in competition management roles at our Championships, preparing them for events at UKA level and beyond. As a result, more than half of the senior management and discipline chief roles at our three indoor track and field championships for 2025 will be filled by female officials.
Line up of officials

Celebrating the officials supporting our indoor championships

We are delighted to share the list of officials who will be helping our athletes at our upcoming indoor season.
Endurance officials at Chiltern league

Rob Fox: progressing along the officials' pathway

As a a Level 2 Endurance Official, Rob recently completed his Level 2 Track Official qualification during the summer. He enjoys the opportunity to volunteer in both disciplines and is eager to further his development by pursuing a Level 3 qualification next year.
Official Anouska Johnson with start team

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.