Officials Conference and well done to Alison and Margaret-Ann

Friday 11th November 2022

scottishathletics Officials are crucial to making our sport happen and will gather this weekend for our first Officials Conference in person for three years.

We look forward to welcoming Officials in Dunfermline on Sunday and there will also be a chance to congratulate recent winners from our 4J Awards Dinner.

There are two awards for Officials and these were presented at our big night at the Hilton in Glasgow at the end of October.

*Alison McGee of Peterhead AC won our Technical Official of the Year Award

*And Margaret-Ann MacLachlan of Kilbarchan AAC was the recipient this year of the Raymond Hutcheson Award for Services to Officiating.

Congratulations to Alison and Margaret-Ann.

Alison receives the Technical Official of the Year award from Margaret (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Here are a few notes from the Annual Dinner programme and script which give a little more detail on Alison and Margaret-Ann . . .

‘Alison is a Level 3 field judge who, from her base in Peterhead, travels to officiate in Aberdeen regularly, as well as making the journey further south to support members of her club in league matches and national championships.

‘She is a highly committed volunteer who is always eager to learn and develop, whilst also supporting the newer officials she works with to have an enjoyable event experience.’

Alison was presented with her award by Official Commission Convenor, Margaret Brown. Also short-listed for the award were: Nicola Cameron and Claire Shanley.

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Margaret-Ann receives her trophy from Team Scotland athlete, Alexander Thomson (photo by Bobby Gavin)

‘Margaret-Ann has been an Official for over 30 years. She is a regular friendly face at grassroots meetings across Scotland, and they have also officiated at a number of international events, including this year’s Commonwealth Games.

‘Margaret-Ann is described by her fellow Officials as ‘friendly’, ‘approachable’ and ‘knowledgeable’ and the support and encouragement she offers new Officials is warm.

‘As well as being an excellent Official, she tutors for Officials courses; serves on our Track and Field timetabling group; sits on the peer groups of two different officiating disciplines; and is a respected mentor in both Track and Endurance.

‘Margaret-Ann often greets every Official on the morning of an event with a smile and fresh pancakes. A very worthy recipient of the Raymond Hutcheson award for Services to Officiating.’