Oceania Welcomes 35 New World Athletics Bronze Referees
The Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) proudly congratulates 35 Technical Officials from Australia and New Zealand who have successfully achieved World Athletics Bronze Referee accreditation through the World Athletics Referee Education and Certification System (WARECS).
The newly accredited referees now join the growing network of Bronze, Silver and Gold World Athletics Referees across the Oceania Area, strengthening the Area’s capacity to deliver fair, consistent and high-quality competitions at every level of the sport.
Representing a diverse cross-section of the athletics community, the group includes officials from metropolitan and regional centres, with a balance of genders, ages and experiences. Their accreditation reflects the ongoing commitment of Oceania’s officials to continual learning and professional development.
Among the newly accredited referees is experienced Australian official Jarrod Gibson, a familiar face at athletics competitions across Oceania recently heard as announcer and commentator at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin.
Gibson said achieving the Bronze Referee accreditation was an important milestone in his officiating journey.
“I am very pleased to have passed my exam and receive my Bronze Referee Accreditation to sit alongside my World Athletics Course Measurer qualifications. I feel it is important to work with other officials to ensure that our athletes at all levels are able to participate in competitions which are held fairly and within the rules of the relevant level of competition.
“That is enhanced by being able to learn from those with more experience and qualifications than me, while also encouraging those new to the sport as they commence the journey I have been on for 30 years.”
Having dedicated three decades to officiating, Gibson also encouraged others to become involved in the sport through volunteering.
“I would encourage anyone considering officiating to give it a go, regardless of their background. As a mediocre young athlete, I found officiating was a great way to remain involved in the sport and have had great experiences officiating in every state and territory of Australia, as well as a number of countries across the Oceania region.
“I have also developed great friendships with officials, athletes, coaches and volunteers, and particularly enjoy the fact that all those components work together to make the sport so enjoyable for all.”
New World Athletics Bronze Referees – Oceania
- Jarrod Gibson (Australia)
- Joshua Roney (Australia)
- Leighanne Priestley (Australia)
- Heather Vaughan (Australia)
- Timothy Keip (New Zealand)
- Bevan Ralfe (New Zealand)
- Andrea Field (Australia)
- Wim Vaessen (Australia)
- Lee-Anne Hinschen (Australia)
- Geoff Sims (Australia)
- Jacinta Thompson (Australia)
- Jenny Boardman (Australia)
- Chris Knight (New Zealand)
- Ruud van Scheppingen (Australia)
- Alan McDonald (New Zealand)
- Alex Bradley (Australia)
- Jane Mudge (Australia)
- Marie Fitzsimons (Australia)
- William Szeto (New Zealand)
- Mark Smith (Australia)
- Michael Reidy (Australia)
- Justine Krynen (New Zealand)
- Anthony Kruck (Australia)
- Peter Barrett (Australia)
- Philip Hniat (Australia)
- George Proimos (Australia)
- Izabela Marczyk (Australia)
- Jane Chester (Australia)
- Sandra Speers (Australia)
- Joseph Tuton (Australia)
- Eugene Nemesi (Australia)
- Sara Wessling (Australia)
- Cliff Bernard (Australia)
- Roisin O’Dwyer-Mazur (Australia)
- Jessica Palermo (Australia)
Interested in beginning your officiating journey? Contact your Member Federation to learn more about training and accreditation opportunities.
—ENDS—