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Young official Steph Brooks raking long jump

How being an athlete helped me as an official
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.
Carol Wright starter at Cambridge

Making athletics a positive experience: Inspiring Official winner Carol Wright

Carol Wright is a technical official based in Cambridgeshire - she's qualified in track, field and photofinish but her real passion is as a Starter. She recently won the East Region Inspiring Official Volunteer Award and we caught up with her at the celebration evening.
Amy, Yeovil Olympiads AC, officiating

How different volunteer roles at clubs can get everyone involved in athletics

Volunteers are an integral part of our sport and athletes would not be able compete without officials giving their time. We caught up with Amy, a Level 2 Field Judge from Yeovil Olympiads AC, at the South West Championships to find out more about her officiating journey so far, the role clubs can play in encouraging volunteers and her advice to aspiring officials.
John Armour

Getting started on the officiating pathway: John Armour's journey

John Armour's journey as a Starter began because his son was competing. John is now a Level 2 official, and looking to his officiating future, he says he would love to keep on going and the ultimate goal is to be an official on the start of line of an international race.
Paj Valley technical official

School athletics led me to becoming an official as a parent

Paj Valley has always had a love for athletics, which was the first sport that he really competed at during school. Paj moved to other sports but was pulled back to it because of his son who had equally found a love for it and is still competing. It was a natural progression to spread his knowledge by becoming an official.
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.  
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.
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.