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Officiating

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.
Malcolm Rogers

Malcolm Rogers: 1944-2026

England Athletics is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our friend, colleague and top technical official Malcolm Rogers. He will be greatly missed by the sport. Malcolm was one of the best athletics officials in Britain and the world for more than 50 years. Recognised with an MBE in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours, he was central to great athletics events and even recently had been assisting the Birmingham 2026 organising committee plan for this summer’s European Championships.
Ivor Wiggett

Ivor Wiggett: 1943-2026

We are sad to report the death of Ivor Wigget on 27 January. Ivor passed away in hospital after a short illness with cancer. He held many roles in the sport, officiating as a highly respected Starter and Starter’s Assistant, and Endurance official. He was also a Road Race Adjudicator and was RunEvents Chair for the London Region. He was involved with runbritain (which later became RunEvents) from its inception. He was also a Life Member of the National Athletics League.
Joe Appiah officiating at SEAA championships

Joe Appiah – more than an MBE

Joe Appiah was recently recognised in the New Year Honours with an MBE for services to Sport, to Public Health and Public Service. But, as with many of our volunteers, there’s more to the man than an MBE. We spoke to Joe to find out how he got involved with athletics and his journey to becoming a masters champion and multiple record holder, a performance coach and a Level 3 technical official.
Young official Steph Brooks raking long jump

How being an athlete helped me as an official

Stephanie Brooks has competed for Yate and District AC as an athlete since 2011. In 2018, she began officiating for her first club - North Somerset AC - as they wanted more people to help at local and league events; she thought officiating would be a good way to help the club.
Official Christel Shaw at hammer cage

The satisfaction of helping fellow officials

Christel Shaw is part of Brighton and Hove Athletics club where she is currently their officials' secretary. She has been involved in athletics for approximately 40 years, first as an athlete at age 11, then following her children’s  athletic journey which in turn led to being an official for the last 7 years. Below, we detail Christel's officiating journey.