The Reliable Rocket | National Volunteer Week

Not many know Tony Williams, but everyone knows ‘Rocket’. Earning the nickname after his trademark fast start that characterised his competitive career, Rocket is refusing to fade in the trend of his 100m exploits – entering his 57^th year in the sport as the reigning Official of the Year.

The athletics stalwart has been involved for so long that he struggles to keep count. Replying with a modest “40-something” when asked how many years he has clocked as an official, it is clear that Rocket has little motivation for personal accolades.

“Years ago, someone asked me why I put so much effort into the sport and do what I do. I said ‘you play golf don’t you?’, he said yes and I said ‘I don’t play golf, this is my golf’,” Rocket said.

“While I’m able to, I will keep going. I will be 70 later this year. I don’t feel 70, although some days officiating I do.”

Beginning his track and field journey as a 13-year-old sprinter at the Collingwood Harriers, Rocket proceeded to expand his duties to include a team manager role with the cross country team throughout winter, before eventually becoming an official.

“It got to the point where I was doing starting and they would tell me which events they wanted me to start, and I would be saying no because I had to go and race my own events. At that point it became officiating or competing,” Rocket said.

“I enjoyed competing but I have also enjoyed the officiating side of things. This sport has been good to me and I have done the Olympic Games in Sydney, Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and Gold Coast, World Juniors and many Nationals.”

Despite not being renowned for great feats of endurance in his days as an athlete, Rocket’s service to athletics has been defined by his longevity and passion, keeping active on the job by walking cross country courses with fellow officials.

“I used to be a starter, but when I was competing I would always break. Back in those days you got a second chance, so I always broke but I never false started. I was always quick out of the blocks, but after my flying start I would get caught at about 50-metres,” Rocket said.

“In the community, we regularly get thanked for what we do. There are a lot of good officials in Australia and we do the job to the best of our ability. We want the best for the athletes because we are not the action, that’s them!”

Nearing half a century in experience as an official, Rocket has countless stories to tell from some of the sport’s biggest moments, but two spring to mind as a proud Australian lover of athletics:

“When Kerryn McCann entered the stadium at the MCG for the marathon, I was a track umpire. The noise in the crowd was so loud that I put my fingers up to my ears, I rated it noisier than Sydney 2000 when Cathy Freeman ran – I was on the track that night too. I will never forget either of those moments.”  

Fresh off being crowned Athletics Australia’s 2022 Official of the Year, Rocket was celebrated nationwide as a friendly and familiar face at track and field meets across the country – with a less familiar name.

“I don’t go out there to win awards, I go out there to do the job. It’s great to receive it and the response from around Australia has been overwhelming. Some people were saying they didn’t even know my real name!” Rocket said.

For more information about becoming an official, click HERE.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 17/5/2023