Mary Hodges
President

I joined Leamington Cycling & Athletics Club nearly 50 years ago, having enjoyed taking part in Athletics at school.

Since I wasn’t the most talented of athletes, I was happy to help the club out by filling in where we didn’t have anyone competing.

During those 50 years I have been a Team Manager for the Club, County and the Midlands. This led to becoming a Committee Member at Club, County, Area and National level, including having the honour of being the Warwickshire President in 2000-2002.

Like most Officials, I was first encouraged to help out at club level, which led to my taking a Field Judge course and then progressing through the Grades (now replaced by Levels). I am  a Level 4 Field and Endurance Official and a Level 2 Track Judge, having officiated at Club Championships through to the Paralympics.

Around 5 or 6 years ago, I took on the role as my Club’s Officials Coordinator and I am proud to say that I have increased the number of Officials from about 10 to 25.

What is my proudest moment in Athletics? “As a Mentor seeing an Official working at an event, knowing that I have helped them to get there.”

Stewart Barnes
Chairman

Former athlete in his younger days, still with Coventry Godiva Harriers.

Became a Technical Official (Track) in the mid 1970s, now a Level 4 – Officiated at London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games and the 2017 World and Para world Championships of 2017.

2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester plus 2003 World and European of 2007 Indoor Championships at the NIA in Birmingham.

Also a Level 3 Endurance Official

Moved into administration as Hon. Treasurer of Warwickshire County A A in 2004 for five years before taking in the same role with the Midland Counties in 2010 until March 2019.

Colin Fox

Essex Champion, Youth 440yards, Junior 440 yards Senior 400 Metre Hurdles.

Southern Championships 3rd in both Youth and Junior 440 yards.

Moved to Leicestershire for work in 1982. Having nearly given up running my wife Margaret for some strange reason started running. Three London Marathons, 20 Great North Runs and many other events age finally got the better of us. While still running we started time keeping Level 2 (timekeeper) at the opening ceremony of 1990 Commonwealth games meet Christine Johnson from Nottingham, she asked would we help out at a Cerebral Palsy Event not time keeping but on the field so we started out on our field journey. World, European Indoor Championships as well as two World Disability Championships, Birmingham and Christchurch New Zealand plus a couple of events in London in 2012. Either Field Referee or Technical Manager for CP Sport Athletics for well over ten years, Level 4 (Field)

Cross Country done a number of senior jobs as well as being a foot soldier. Referee for the Midland Young Athletes Cross Country League for 5 years. Level 3 (Endurance)

Road Races twice Start coordinator for the world half marathon championships, Birmingham and Cardiff, plus the walks and marathons at London 2012. Deputy Red Start Manager for the London Marathon for more years than I care to recall. Level 3 (Endurance)

Also have a Track Judges level but least said about that the better. Level 2 (Track).

MCAA president for two years.

Glyn Jones

Actively in engaged in Race Walking as a competitor and official since 1970.

Currently Midland Area Race Walking Competition Secretary.

Past President of Midland Area Race Walking Association and also of the National Race Walking Association and now currently Chairman of the RWA.

A member of Coventry Godiva Harriers and was recently awarded Life Membership for services rendered to the club.

Licensed as a Level 4 Race Walking Official.

Graham Heeley

I have been a member of ‘Sparkhill Harriers’ for over fifty years and a Life Member of the club. Competed as a club athlete, in middle distance, both on the road and over the country.

With my competition days drawing to a close I took up being an official in the disciplines of Field Judging and Endurance events besides taking on many administrative rolls within the sport. These activities took me into officiating at event from local leagues to National and International events including Olympic Games and World Championships. I am currently a level 4 Field official and a level 5 Endurance official.

I have been fortunate to have held the positions as Presidents of My Club, County, Midland Counties and England Cross Country Association.

Jan Febery

Joined Cheltenham Ladies Harriers in 1971-enjoying middle distance and cross country. Coach, Judge Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman.

Chairman Cheltenham Men’s Harriers and steered the two Clubs to amalgamate to one club

Life Member Cheltenham and County Harriers.

Midland Counties WAAA Committee and representative to WAAA National Committee

First Claim and Hardship Exemption Committee for 30+ years.

Hon. Secretary of Midland Counties AAfor almost 10 years.

Past President Midland Counties AA

Life Member MCAA

Past Midland Counties AA representative to BAF and AAA.

Past AAA Board Member

Honoured Life Vice President AAA in 2001

Maureen Bullen

MCAA Past President.

- Secretary of former Officials’ Committee, now Officials Coordinator

 

Technical Official (Field Events Judge) and referee at all levels from schools to international events.

- Technical Manager at 2003 World Indoor Championships

- Video Manager at 2012 Olympic Games.

- Officials’ Course Tutor.

 

MAFEO founder member and past Chairman and Secretary and now Membership Secretary

 

UKA Facilities Assessor and chair of former UKA Facilities Group

Lynn Orbell

· joined Lozells Harriers in 1965

· competed in the shot at the English Schools Championships in 1966,1967,1968,1969,1970

· medalled in all years except 1966

· won National medals in shot and Javelin

· retired in 1972 due to a misdiagnosed injury

· became secretary of the Ladies Section of Lozells Harriers

· was taken under the wing of Mrs Dorothy Nelson-Neale MBE and became a member of the Midland Women's committee

· became a Midland Team Manager T & F in 1980 and was still operating as that until 2018 as there is only one meeting a year now and Covid hit us

· worked behind the scenes with Midland Women's events

· became one of the Midland selectors on England Teams

· went abroad with some England Teams

· was Team Manager for a BAF (Andy Norman) team

· was Team Manager for a GBU23 team (one match only)

· worked as a scribe for the Midland Women's seeding at Championships

· eventually became the Midlands seeder/AAA of E seeder at Championships

· joined Birchfield Harriers in 1992 because my niece had joined them

· started coaching again then after some time away from coaching - still coaching now

· I have been honoured to work at the 1st ever European Cross Country Championships in Alnwick and the World Cross Country Championships in Durham the following year

· became Birchfield Women's T & F Team Manager in 1994 -2013 including 3 European Clubs Championships

· have been on the Birchfield Harriers committee in some position for around 20 years

· currently I am the Team Manager of the Upper YDL Men's team and the joint Midland League team

· I run a Christmas Raffle and game for Club Funds

· I have been on various Midland Counties committees

· I have been employed by the MCAA until I retired (13years)

· I was Treasurer of the UKWAL for 20 years then took on the Chairman's role as well

· I am honoured to have been Midland Counties AA President for the 4th year - should have only been 3 but the pandemic has given me an extra year

Val Day
Office Manager

Val is the Office & Finance Manager, having worked for the Midland Counties for 17 years.

Her main tasks are to ensure the smooth running of the association, focusing on organising competitions, responding to Officials, Athletes, Coaches & Clubs.

Working with budgets and dealing with supply chain management.

Val is the backbone and is always willing to help.