Athletics Victoria Official of the Year
You will often see Steve at Llanberris Reserve either working in the maintenance shed or officiating out on the track during an event. He is often the first person to arrive for an AVSL or BRAC Cross Country meet and is a valued member of the Ballarat volunteer base.
Along with his Ballarat work, he is often the technical manager at AV events in Melbourne. His knowledge and experience is respected among the athletics community and his loyalty to the sport is admired by all in the state
On Sunday, Steve was named the Athletics Victoria Official of the Year for his continued commitment to athletics in Ballarat and all of Victoria.
What might not be known is Steve is also an accomplished runner, once completing the coveted Lap of the Lake in 18:33 minutes in 1988. That year he finished 4th overall in an extremely competitive field, he also has 8 times under 19 minutes at the Lap of the Lake.
One of Steve’s first memories is his first race for Wendouree as a 14 year old in 1978. He completed the Lap of the Lake and although can’t remember his time, felt it was a good run.
At the most recent Victorian Country Championships, he shared the medal podium in the 50+ category with a Bendigo athlete highlighting that between them they had attended as astonishing 73 Victorian Country Championships! Steve indicated that since 1979 when he first started, he has only ever missed 1 Country Championships.
Steve first becomes a registered official in 1988 after completing his exam and has been involved ever since. His favorite memories as an official are watching the junior athletes develop through the age groups into seniors and loving the sport along the way. He remembers officiating at Cross Country meets and seeing U16 athletes coming through who he now competes with in the 40+ categories!
We would like to thank Steve for his continued commitment to athletics in both the Ballarat region and wider state
