22 March 2019

International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March every year and is a focal point in the movement of women’s rights.  This year’s campaign theme of #BalanceforBetter is a call-to-action for driving gender balance across the world. 

Athletics prides itself on being a gender balanced sport and our officials play a major part in achieving this, where currently there are 59% male and 41% female officials in the UK.  In support of International Women’s Day 2019, throughout March, we will feature Officials across the UK to celebrate them and their commitment to athletics.  

Mary Hodges

What is your role as an official?
I am a Field Judge, Track Judge and Endurance Official, plus I took on the role as the clubs Officials coordinator 2 years ago. (Since taking on the role as Officials coordinator, I have unofficially mentored a number of Officials to Level 2)

How long have you been officiating?
Possibly nearly 30 years.

What inspired you to become an official?
Les and Thelma Barnett who were Field Judges with the club and they encourage me to become a Field Judge, the rest is history.

What would you say to anyone wanting to get into officiating?
Come and try it, you will get to meet amazing people and if lucky it will take you all over the country and possibly abroad.

What has been the highlight of your officiating career?
Officiating at the Paralympics, but as the clubs officials coordinating seeing a young Official from my club walking out with athletes at the Grand Prix in Birmingham last August.

What can we do as a sport to achieve a #BetterBalance in officiating?
Chat to athletes, parents and have taster days where they get to meet an International Athlete. 

Find out more about International Women’s Day here. 

If you want to get involved in officiating, find out more information here.