ESAA Hammer thrower turned field official
Photo credit: Private Collection
Jack’s parents took him to Kidderminster & Stourport Athletics Club when he was 9 thinking he might be a runner. His sister, a few years his senior was already throwing hammer, Jack thought he’d have a go and found it suited him. He was the first under 15 to break the 60m barrier at Shropshire Schools Track & Field Championships and became the first athlete to win the trophy for best boy’s performance 4 years in a row at those Championships.
Jack competed at five English Schools’ Athletic Association Championships between 2015 and 2019. Always finishing within the top 6 but never quite hitting the podium, his final year coincided with the covid pandemic, denying him one last chance for a shot at a medal.
From the outset, Jack was always doing more than just throwing. At training sessions he’d find things to do, raking pits or pulling tape measures through – whatever was needed.
I was always comfortable around field events from training and also from helping out, I never found it intimidating to be on the field.
Jack did an introductory officiating course aged 14, and although Health and Safety regulations meant he could not start his officiating levels until he turned 16, he knew he’d found something he wanted to pursue.
On going to university and deciding that he’d like a bit more of a social life than his seven day a week training schedule allowed, he switched his focus to officiating. He has since become a Level 3 Official.
Asked what his highlights have been so far:
spiking the women’s hammer competition at the Birmingham 2022 Common Wealth Games is definitely one. On the more day-today side, I really like working with the other officials as part of a team, and I enjoy the challenge – making sure the equipment, the technology, the event is running smoothly – its all about problem solving.
Jack’s immediate ambition is to become a Level 4 Field Official. Longer term he aims to gain a deeper understanding of all field and track events, working towards being in a management position. He was selected by UK Athletics to represent the UK at the European Youth Leaders Forum in Munich 2022, returning to the same event in Rome in June 2024.
Jack’s advice for anyone who loves athletics is simple:
Get involved, give it a go. There are so many different disciplines within athletics, if you don’t like the first one, pick another, something will fit.
For more information about how to get involved with officiating and coaching follow the links below
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Research: Ben Costello