Australian technical officials to lead the way at Bathurst 2023

In another coup for Australian athletics, more than 100 National Technical Officials and Sport Specific Volunteers have been appointed in key roles for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 23, with Athletics Australia and World Athletics confirming selections today.

Alongside eight international technical officials, the Australian cohort handpicked for WXC Bathurst 2023 will provide the highest possible standard of competition for up to 500 elite athletes and 2000 recreational runners set to battle it out on the gruelling Mount Panorama course in Bathurst in February. 

“Being selected to officiate or provide support as a volunteer at a major championships is considered one of the highest honours in athletics officiating in Australia, but what’s most exciting for this group is the opportunity to do put their world-class skills to the test on home soil,” Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Peter Bromley said.

“The World Athletics Cross Country Championships is the first major championships to take place in Australia in 27 years and a hallmark event that will no doubt inspire the next generation of distance runners. As a must-see event, it’s a fantastic result to have our dedicated and committed cohort be able to do what they do best at this level and display the heart and soul of Australian athletics to the international athletics community.”

The appointment of the National Technical Officials and Sport Specific Volunteers followed a lengthy recruitment process by Athletics Australia’s Officiating Sub Committee; a group that is committed to developing a pathway for Australian technical officials on the road to the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

18-year-old Georgia Hughes is just one of many officials or volunteers ready for their international debut, and believes the opportunity will give her the insight as to what it may take to officiate at the highest level; with an eye to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane.

“This is the wildest opportunity that I’ve ever received. I’m a Type 1 Diabetic, have Crohn’s Disease and I’m an athlete myself, but being selected shows me that I can smash through any barrier and do something on the world stage that I really love,” Hughes said.

“The goal for me is Commonwealth Games and Brisbane. There are a number of officials that want to see young females like me at these big events, and having this behind me will help me get there. I’m really looking forward to being able to look back and remember what an important event this was in officiating.”

While a number of officials and volunteers will get their first taste of international officiating, Athletics Australia’s Officiating Sub Committee has also recruited officials with years of experience to ensure a seamless experience for all.

Athletics Australia’s Official of the Year Janet Nixon, who has been appointed as the Chief Finish Judge for the Championships said she will lean on nearly 40 of experience and 17 global events in her fifth global officiating role on Australian soil.

“It’s very special to have a global event in your home country and there is nothing quite like officiating at home. I have done this around the world and it’s really exciting that so many new officials will be able to experience this feeling,” Nixon said.  

“I’m also really pleased that these new officials can experience global competition and see how things work at that level so they can aspire to working at a high level once again with Commonwealth Games and the Brisbane Games on the horizon.

“This exposure for officials and volunteers will also help raise the standard of our local competition, which is something else to look forward to.”

Officiating athletics competitions is a flexible and fun opportunity for anyone interested in the sport. It gives an opportunity to those who are unable to compete to remain involved in athletics and up close to the action, an opportunity to socialise with like-minded individuals building friendships and memories to last a lifetime, and the ability to give back to a community focussed organisation.

With a number of major championships taking place in Australia over the next decade, the time is right to get involved.  For more information about becoming a National Technical Official, visit https://www.athletics.com.au/get-involved-athletics/become-an-official/

Appointments of National Technical Officials and Sport Specific Volunteers

WORLD ATHLETICS APPOINTMENTS

Technical Delegate: Khan Sharp (AUS)

Medical Delegate: Paolo Emilio Adami (ITA)

Anti-Doping Delegate: Richard DRISCOLL (GBR)

Press Delegate: Zacharias VAILAKIS (GRE)

Jury of Appeal:  Beatrice AYIKORU (UGA), Anne LORD (AUS), Trevor SPITTLE (NZL)

ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA APPOINTMENTS – NATIONAL TECHNICAL OFFICIALS

Competition Director: Gerard Ryan (ACT)

Assistant Competition Director: Peter Hamilton (QLD)

Meeting Managers: Kim Owens (NSW), Helen Roberts (QLD)   

Assistant Meeting Manager – NTOs and SSVs: Andrea Hallett (VIC)

Technical Information Centre - Manager: Anthony Curry (NZL)

Technical Information Centre - Assistant Manager: Yvonne Papadimos (QLD)

Call Room Referee: Kirsten Crocker (NSW)

Call Room Chief Judges: Lisa Colquhoun (ACT), Zoe Eastwood-Bryson (SA)

Call Room Judges: Jenny Boardman (QLD), Cherie Boxall (SA), Kerrie Channels (QLD), Kirsteen Farrance (VIC), Bob Hallett (QLD), Thanuj Kumar Krishna (VIC), Josephine Ng (NSW), Leeann Simpson (NSW), Carmen Sims (QLD), Jodie Sundstrom (NSW)

Technical Manager: Joe Stevens (SA)

Technical Judges: Andrew Duncan (VIC), Lauren Kidd (NZL), Lincoln Mah (VIC)

Referee: Kevin Wigmore (VIC)

Assistant Referees: John Morris (NSW), Andrew Pryor (ACT)

Assistant Referees/Course Umpires: Dave Brown (QLD), Ian Colquhoun (ACT), Michael Halmy (NSW), David Higgins (NSW), Michael Holmes (WA), David Morrow (NSW), Susan Newton (NSW), Kim Robinson (NSW)

Umpires: Jackie Gilroy (NSW), Adrian Warner (SA), Tony Williams (VIC)

Start Line/Finish Line Manager: Anton Van Bavel (SA)

Starter: Les Allen (NSW)

Starters Assistants: David Bryan (NSW), Tracey Jones (NSW), Toni Petts (WA), Del Warrick (NSW)  

Chief Lap Scorer/Relay Takeover Judge: Barry Pecar (NSW)

Chief Finish Judge: Janet Nixon (NSW)

Photo Finish Judge: Tony Smyth (NSW)

Finish Judges: Greg Peterson (SA), Josh Savage (VIC)

Mixed Zone Manager: Tom O’Shaughnessy (QLD)

Post Event/Recovery Area Manager: Dennis Coker (NSW)

Post Event/Recovery Area Judges: Audrey Cortez (NSW), Karen Fisk (SA)

Results Management Chief Judge: Greg Ison (QLD)

Results Management Judges: Georgia Hughes (NSW), Rob Jones (NSW)

Ceremonies Manager: Rachel Larking (SA)

Ceremonies Assistant Manager: Kylie Brown (QLD)

Announcers: To be appointed

ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA APPOINTMENTS – SPORT SPECIFIC VOLUNTEERS

Call Room – Clothing Supervisors: Maureen Austin (VIC), Margaret Hunter (VIC), Hazel McDonnell (QLD)

Lap Counters/Relay Take-over Zone: David Brewster (NSW), Adam Mylonas (NSW), Daniel Warren (NSW)

Marshalls - On Course: Alana Baldi (VIC), Ian Dent (VIC), Matthew Dingley (ACT), John Gilbert (VIC), Jacqueline Gould (VIC), Terry Swan (VIC)

Marshalls – Spectator Cross-over Points: Peter Bottrill (NSW), Llewellyn Davies (NSW), Eugene Nemesi (VIC), Michael O’Mara (NSW), Peter Roberts (QLD), James Stammers (NSW)

Mixed Zone Assistants: Daniel Bliss (NSW), Sarah Colquhoun (NSW), Lyle Dahms (ACT), Judy McDonald (QLD)

Start/Finish Area Assistants: Naomi Barker (ACT), Alex Bradley (QLD), Craig Lee (QLD), Carmel McCudden (NSW), Patricia McHendrie (SA)

Technical Information Centre Assistants: Pamela Drake-Noden (VIC), Eddie Fabian (QLD), Katrina Morrow (NSW)

Warm-Up Area Manager: Dayne O’Hara (NFI)

Warm-Up Area Assistants: Liz Bradley (QLD), David Kistle (NSW), Jennifer Szkiela (ACT), Brad Taylor (QLD)

LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Event Presentation Manager: Andrew Matthews (NSW)

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 21/7/2022