Thanks to all our Officials; Academy gathering; Webinar

Tuesday 21st November 2023

Officially brilliant! Due recognition for two winners at 4J Awards

Our Officials Conference was a big success with a strong sense of community at the gathering in Dunfermline on Sunday.

One of the key themes of the day -which included learning sessions as well as a chance to have lunch together – was to thank our qualified Officials for their hard work throughout the year.

Keynote speaker Fran Snitjer, the scottishathletics Equality Officer, stressed the point that these volunteers make the sport happen in Scotland across all disciplines, every week.

Fran also took the opportunity via her ‘Athletics for All‘ presentations to explain our EDI goals around creating an inclusive culture in the sport.

Alistair Aitchison, the new Convenor of the Officials Commission, addressed Officials with the Conference pulled together by Shona Malcolm-Martin and Sophie Allan of our Competitions team – both of course are Officials themselves.

Shona and Rob Dalziel, who won our Technical Official of the Year title at the 4J Annual Awards,  spoke about their journey in the sport.

There were also workshops and sessions which involved: Dave Cairns, Margaret-Ann McLachlan and Caroline Johnston; Margaret McInally and George Sneddon; Mark Stringer and Brian Brown.

There will be more learning and course opportunities to come through the coming winter months – with an Endurance Course currently on the schedule (Sunday 3 December).

The course is open to anyone over the age of 16 who is interested in assisting, and would like a better understanding of, the key areas of officiating at cross country, fell, mountain and road races.

For more information view the course details.

Fran, Shona and Sophie at the Officials Conference (photo via Twitter)

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New intake for 4J National Athletics Academy

The 4J National Athletics Academy met on Saturday in Stirling at the start of a new term.

No fewer than 17 new athlete and coach pairings have been admitted to the Academy as the Year One intake.

All of those selected met in Stirling and were joined by a number of the Year Two athletes and coaches as the learning continues for those involved last year for the first time.

There are three Para athletes within that Year Two group and two more are now included via Year One as we continue integrate Para athletics within our National Academy.

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Our Menopause, Athletics and Running webinar is taking place on Wednesday evening with Dr Juliet McGrattan.

We’re delighted to have a terrific response from across the club and coaching community in Scotland with sign-ups now having closed (and around 150 names received).

We look forward to hearing more from Juliet and reminder that athletics clubs can join our ‘Menopause Friendly’ campaign which offers them further resources to raise awareness via education.,

More details on the campaign online

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Tags: 4J National Athletics Academy, Menopause Friendly, National Officials Conference, Officials, Officials Conference