There are many friendly and helpful people who can support you, from our committee members to our Support Contacts, as well as all of our members!
MAUREEN BULLEN – Honorary Life President
Maureen is a Level 4 Field Official and one of the founding members of MAFEO
FIONA HANCOCK – Chairman
KENNY EBANKS – Vice Chairman
Kenny is a Level 4 Starter and a Level 4 Starters Assistant.
I began officiating after I retired from playing rugby in 2005 and needed a new hobby. As a PE teacher, I got involved with West Midlands Schools Athletics. At the County Champs, the committee had forgot to book a starter, so I stepped up and did it. I must have done a good job, as I was invited to help the start teams at ESAA National Championships which were being held in Birmingham that year. At the event, I was encouraged to be a Starter/ Starter Assistant by Alan Bell. At the same time, I decided to join Birchfield Harriers and did my starters course there.
As a Starter, I have been fortunate to start at the British Championships and the London Diamond League, and many other England Athletics National events. In addition, to this I have also worked in the Call Room at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and as a TIC Official at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. I have done my Level 1 field course but do not get the opportunity to officiate on the field much due to the shortage of Starters.
DEREK PRINCE – Honorary Secretary
Derek is a Level 4 Field Official
Having had no involvement in athletics since school days my eldest daughter caught the “bug” in 2011. Very quickly I was being asked to help out at meetings and it was only a matter of time that a coach said I will become an official if you will!
So after a level 1 field course run by Maureen Bullen the journey commenced.
Having attended many meetings in a short space of time I progressed quickly to a level 3 and then decided in 2017 to do the level 4 course.
The rest is history and I continue to enjoy the camaraderie and seeing the young athletes achieve PBs week after week.
Several years ago I joined MAFEO committee and have continued to be secretary for the last 7 years.
What next…..maybe a track course!
YASMINE AL-DAFTARY – Honorary Treasurer
Yasmine is a Level 3 Starter and Level 3 Starters’ Assistant.
“I started officiating a very long time ago when I was asked to help rake a sand pit at a Vets League Meeting! Little did I know that I would become a timekeeper and help at many meetings before moving across to the Starter and Starter Assistant roles. I now focus fully on these roles (timekeeping was not my forte!) but I do have a Level 1 Field which comes in handy at combined events! Recently along with Kenny and Andy I have delivered Assistant Officials courses to varied audiences from young officials to school teachers, as well as to Army PTs! These are always good fun and hopefully increase the numbers of local officials.”
MARGARET AFFORD – Committee Member
I became an official almost by accident. I was persuaded to take the Timekeepers’ Practical test myself when I accompanied my husband Pete to his practical test at the then National Indoor Arena at RAF Cosford. We both passed and that was the start, 35 years ago, of an exciting journey which continues today. I also became a photo-finish official, starting on the ‘wet’ system before technology improved to the sophisticated computer and camera systems we use today.
During the past 35 years I have been fortunate enough to be appointed to several national and international events including European, European Cup and World Championships. I have been selected to be Chief Timekeeper at two Diamond League meetings, including last year’s meeting in London, and numerous other high-profile meetings. This does not mean I neglect grass-roots athletics; I love timekeeping at Sportshall events and local leagues too.
Throughout this time I have been a strong supporter of MAFEO, being a committee member for over 30 years, including a time as Chair – thank you Maureen for all the times you hosted the meetings in your home.
I have made many friends from all over the country, people I would never have met if it were not for this great sport of athletics.
Currently I mentor three other timekeepers and will be part of the new EA Officials’ Support Programme when it launches.
It’s not just being a Technical Official – I am the COffSec for Shropshire, a member of the Midlands Advisory Group for timekeepers, Tri-Regional Group member and now also Peer Group member.
CHRIS BLYTH
Chris is a Level 4 Field Official.
CATHY BRIGGS – Committee Member
I qualified in 1997 after taking both the Track and Field Grade 4 exams. I decided to specialise in Field judging. I am now a level 4 Field and 2 Track. I have had some amazing experiences whilst judging; The World Disability Champs in New Zealand in 2011, London Olympics and Paralympics in 2012, World Champs in London 2017, Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022, Diamond Leagues and lots of Disability Athletics. This summer I’ve been honoured with being chosen as Para Ref in the summer in Birmingham.
My photo shows me proudly displaying my 20 year service award. In 2 years I will receive my 30 year award.
KATE HOTCHKISS – Committee Member
“My club is Oswestry Olympians, I got into officiating through my Dad & Brother. I did the Level 1 Field Judge course 3 days after my 16th birthday in March 2024. I’m also a Level 1 Starter & Starter Assistant. Two of my best things so far is being an athlete steward at the Keely Klassic & having lots of officiating friends to help and support me. “
ANDREW HULSE – Committee Member
Field Official for over 20 years, more often than not a member of the Technical Team at top level events including 2012 Olympics/ParaOlympics, 2017 World & Para Championships, 2 World Indoor Championships and 2 European Indoor Championships and numerous Grand Prix/Diamond League. Basically this means I have been involved in setting up, repairing and being able to show people how to use almost every piece of equipment we normally come across . I am involved with EDM’s Travelling around the Midlands taking these to competitions and in some cases connecting them directly to results systems. I am also involved in the provision, training and use of the horizontal jump take off cameras now being used in many competitions.
NOEL MCKAKLY – Committee Member
Level 4 Track Judge
I have been involved in our sport from the age of thirteen first as a runner coach a team manager and now an official. While acting as a team manager for my club I kept being asked to provide a team of officials, I noted the club could get extra points for providing officials. After a few years of helping out at meetings I took the Grade 4 track exam and my journey as a track official began. I am also qualified as a photo finish judge, field judge and an endurance official.
As an official I have been very proud to be selected to all the major championships hosted in the UK since 2012.Officiating at the London 2012 Olympics and Para Olympics, acting as Assistant Track Referee at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have been my main highlights in my officiating journey so far.
I am still passionate about our sport and will continue to encourage recruit, support, mentor and help officials on a regular basis.
MARGARET MURPHY – Committee Member
Field Judge L4 , Track Judge L1, Endurance L2
I began my athletics journey with Tipton Harriers, helping at cross country races and track & field meetings, then qualified as a Field Judge in 1992. Having moved to Rugby in 2013 I was invited to be Warwickshire Officials Secretary, a post I held for ten years. Athletics has taken me to many venues up and down the country, to European and World Indoor Championships, and to the London Olympics. I am now reducing my involvement and will be working mainly for my club Rugby Northampton AC
STUART PAUL
DEREK REDFERN – Committee Member
Hi. I am a long established official, concentrating on the Field and how things have changed for officials. Over the years I have taken on a variety of committee roles. I am currently on the TRGN Field Group and a part of the MCAA Field Advisory Group. I am also a tutor for the Field level 1 course.
I have a great interest in the safety issues that using stadiums today can bring forward to officials. I have been a track inspector, before we were phased out and replaced by the new system.
FREYA WEBB – Committee Member
“Freya is a level 3 field judge and level 1 timekeeper, starter, starters assistant and photo finish judge. Freya started officiating when she was an athlete but after hanging up her spikes, she has got stuck into officiating. Freya’s highlight so far is all the amazing friends she has made through officiating and being invited to athlete steward at the National Indoor champs”
