Technical Official Pathway to the World Stage: Parkes’ Kim Robinson

18 November 2022

Technical Official Pathway to the World Stage: Parkes’ Kim Robinson

Next February Western NSW will host a global athletics event when the 44th World Athletics Cross Country Championships are held in Bathurst. One of the proudest people at the event will be Parkes school teacher Kim Robinson, who has been appointed a National Technical Official, one of those responsible for ensuring the competition is conducted along the rules of World Athletics.

Kim’s pathway to this prestigious appointment started when she was identified by Athletics NSW officials John Morris and Barry Pecar during a local Officials program that has been running for over a decade.

Kim Robinson was a school teacher at Parkes East Primary. Her journey in officiating started at her school in 2008, going on to officiate at school zone and State by 2010. At an Athletics Officiating Training Day in 2014 in Dubbo, Kim was encouraged by John and Barry too, when she could manage the travel, officiate in Sydney. Her progress continued with National appointments and eventually led to a position as a Field Judge at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. It would be no surprise when the global World Athletics Cross Country Championships came to her region, she would seek an appointment – named this week as an Assistant Referee and Course Umpire.

“I feel really privileged on this appointment, representing NSW and Australia on the World Stage,” said Kim.

The Athletics Officiating Training Days were started in 2010 by John Morris and later joined by Barry Pecar. They would travel across NSW conducting day-long officials training days. Travel costs were funded by Ross Morrison at the State Education Sports Unit, with John and Barry contributing hundreds of volunteer hours to the program. “It was a dream come true as part of my retired,” is how John Morris described the opportunity he had been given. “It was a pleasure going and teaching.”

One of the main purposes was also to foster growth in the numbers of officials at Athletics NSW competitions. A major highlight for John and Barry was the appointment of six officials from the program to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. “Many were not sure of the pathway for Officials,” noted John.

Some who were encouraged to take the next step into regular officiating with Athletics NSW included Katrina Morrow, Steve Dunn, Garth Pereira and Linda O’Brien.

Over a decade after it started, the program continues to this day.

“We visited Dubbo two weeks ago – it was our fourth visit. Some teachers travel two to three hours to attend the day-long program,” said John.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Kim Robinson officiating. (Courtesy of David Tarbotton)

Event Profile:

Name: 44th World Athletics Cross Country Championships

Edition/history: 44th, first held in 1973 in Belgium

Date/Venue: 18 February 2023, Bathurst NSW

Who: World’s best distance runners against Australia’s best. Aussies expected to be vying for selection will be Stewart McSweyn, Olli Hoare, Jessica Hull, Brett Robinson, Jack Rayner, Rose Davies, Izzy Batt-Doyle and many more.

Course: 2km circuit at Mount Panorama

What: Five world titles races – Men/Women for senior/U20 (6 to 10km) and mixed 4x2km relay.

Support events: For athletes U7 to masters, mass participation/fun run, para-athletics, club and corporate. Details

Masters Championships: World Masters Cross Country Championships for ages 35 to 80+ Details

Full Program: Three days of event and competition 17 to 19 February 2023 Details

Australian Team Trials: 15 January 2023 in Canberra Details

More Information: Details