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Officiating

From athlete to official: Supporting athletes during recovery

When injury ruled out competition for Amber Valley and Erewash Athletic Club (AVEAC) athlete Alice, she was determined to remain connected to the sport she loves. What began as a way to stay involved during recovery has quickly developed into a passion for officiating, with Alice recently achieving her Level 2 qualifications as both a Starter and Starter's Assistant.

Developing the next generation of officials with Loughborough University

England Athletics and Loughborough University have partnered to deliver an exciting new initiative, offering a series of officiating courses for students across the university campus. Through the Track Judge, Field Judge and Photo Finish programmes, more than a dozen students have gained nationally recognised training and valuable practical experience.

Are you looking for more officials to help at your event?

If, as an event or competition provider, you are struggling to source enough officials for your event, we've got some useful contacts who may be able to help you identify officials.
Services to Athletics winner Paul Ross - South West 2023

Paul Ross: 1949-2026

England Athletics is sad to hear of the passing of Paul Ross. Paul was a good runner with excellent marathon times and was heavily involved in local clubs and road running in the South West region. He was a member of the first SW Regional Council – representing road running, and championing the South West region at a National level. Paul devoted countless years to our sport, including - along with other visionaries - working to form the Armada Athletics Network.
Roster on screen at High Jump

Powering modern championships: how SEAA and Roster are transforming athletics events

While the presentation of results can now be produced quickly and accessed by anyone with a smartphone or laptop with an internet connection, how has the Roster system helped the ‘paper trail’ that officials have traditionally had to follow?
Katerina Sobey

Finding her place on the track: Katerina's officiating journey

Katerina Sobey came into athletics through her children training at North Devon Athletics Club. A club coach approached her at a local meeting and asked for some help. Because she had previously noticed that nearly all the timekeepers at events she attended were men, she happily volunteered to help the timekeeper team and try to reset the gender balance there. We found out more about her officiating journey.
Starter Hannah Partington and niece

Helping grass roots athletics through officiating

Hannah Partington is based in Falmouth in Cornwall and recently gained her Level 2 Starter / Starter's Assistant qualification. She explains how she began, how her officiating journey has progressed and what she's gained from it.
John Askew at 2024 volunteer awards

John Askew: 1957-2026

England Athletics, Bexley AC and the international officiating community are saddened to hear of the passing of John Askew after a long and determined battle with illness. John was the recipient of the England Athletics Official of the Year in 2024, and was heavily involved as an officials' tutor, with his Club Bexley AC, and as a top level official at home and abroad, including being Clerk of the Course at the London Olympics and Paralympics and Assistant Technical Manager at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Two female officials looking at a clipboard

Top tips for officials to prepare for age group changes

From 1 April 2026, England Athletics will introduce the new competition age groups (U12, U14, U16, U18, U20), replacing the existing U13/U15/U17 model. These changes aim to improve long‑term athlete development, simplify progression, and align better with school years. Here are our top tips to help officials prepare and support their athletes smoothly through the transition.
International Starter Margaret Werrett at Paris Paralympics with athlete

Margaret Werrett's officiating journey

As well as being a very experienced official, Margaret Werrett is also the Upgrading Secretary for the Midlands and South West tri-region. We chatted with Margaret recently to find out more about her officiating journey and her current volunteering roles in athletics.