Sport NSW Distinguished Long Service Award – Heather Mitchell

24 May 2024

Sport NSW Distinguished Long Service Award – Heather Mitchell OAM

Next month, after 44-years service to athletics in NSW, Heather Mitchell will be presented a Sport NSW Distinguished Long Service Award at a function at the NSW Community Sports Awards.
Heather’s service is extensive and touched nearly every corner of the sport. From technical official to administration, team management, coaching, advisory committees, organising committees and coaching. Heather has certainly done it all and achieved so much in the sport.

She started her journey in athletics in 1980 and has over the last four plus decades, received life membership recognition from Athletics Australia, Athletics NSW, Sutherland Club, Port Hacking Little Athletics Centre, NSW Racewalking Club and Little Athletics NSW.

She has also received international appointments including 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and 1996 World Junior Championships in Sydney.
One of her most significant contributions has been as a Little Athletics NSW Board member for 30 consecutive years in the portfolios of championships and publicity. For decades she was a key driver of the annual Trans-Tasman LA match between NSW and New Zealand.

We know Heather as an international race walking judge but her administration has been extensive. Served as president and treasurer of the NSW Racewalking Club and vice president of Race Walking Australia. She has been a key officials educator, appointed to AA technical committees and also a member of numerous competition organising committees. 
A very trust person, she is a returning officer for Athletics NSW at the AGM. 

Heather Mitchell has provided exceptional service to athletics in NSW for 44 years and is a most worthy recipient of the Sport NSW Distinguished Long Service Award.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Heather Mitchell in two key roles as a technical official and in administration.