While her full-time job is working in sport, it is her voluntary role as an athletics official that is getting Sue Maughan close to the track and field action.
Here she talks through life as an official and the benefits of volunteering in sport.
It’s been a golden era for British sport, not just as an athlete but also as a volunteer. It’s not often in a person’s lifetime they get the opportunity to be actively involved as a volunteer at a home Olympic, Paralympic & Commonwealth Games, as well as a European Team and Paralympic Championship. In my case it’s as a National Technical Athletics Official - the individuals you see (or shouldn’t see in televised meetings) who measure, judge and validate all the athletics field events (e.g. javelin, pole vault, long jump etc).
It’s also a good time to reflect on what got me into this position. People often question why people volunteer, give up their time for free. Having the experiences highlighted above may answer these questions and yes, I’m very privileged but these weren’t on my radar when I first got involved over 25 years ago. From an early age athletics was in my blood, competing from the age of eight, representing Wales at school and U19 level and grabbing a coaching qualification along the way. But it was at university when I became qualified as a technical official. Why? The trite response was that I wanted to still be involved and ‘give something back’, but in reality it’s the sport that has continued to give back to me over the years. As well as the camaraderie and friendships I have developed over the years, and the common bond with my parents who were both officials – something we could share together - it has helped me grow and develop as an individual.
All the skills you need in many employed roles I have developed and put into practice on the athletics field; confidence in dealing with people, organising, time management, having difficult conversations, decision-making and effective communication. Whilst learning these skills, being treated to some experiences that could never have been imagined. What an experience standing in the middle of the Olympic arena when Jessica Ennis was running her 200m, and when David Weir and Johnny Peacock were blazing a trail to various gold medals and experiencing that Olympic ‘roar’ day in day out.
But it’s not all about the elite glory. This Saturday I’ll be at a trackside in Brecon, probably in the rain, organising a team of officials and parent volunteers to ensure all the athletes can compete safely and get a measure. Sunday it’s a trip to Swansea to judge some throwing events. Seeing children succeed, get a PB or just enjoy competing can be a reward in itself. I do what I can, when I can, being clear up front what I can commit to but, importantly, I am always welcomed. We talk about a pathway, and I’ve certainly followed one, from starting out and helping at league competitions, regional and national championships, gaining experience and qualifications along the way and making my way through to judging on the world stage.
So what next? Whilst I still get the continued enjoyment out of officiating as well as continuing to develop as a person I’ll continue to get involved, and yes there are a few more ‘treats’ along the way. I’ll be field referee leading the team of field officials at this year’s Anniversary Games and having to make difficult decisions, which is exciting and a little daunting (which is always good in my book) and then waiting hopefully for the email to see if I’ll be heading back to London for next year’s World Championships.
So what about you? If you’re inspired to get involved in officiating then here’s a few suggestions.
· Speak to officials in a number of sports and see what is actually involved. Some may be really active such as a football referee, some may require regular engagement with competitors like field judging in athletics, whilst others may be sedentary such as a line judge in badminton or tennis, a timekeeper in athletics, whilst others may require the completion of lots of paperwork. All governing bodies of sport should have a dedicated person to be able to speak to talk this through or point you in the direction of someone you could chat to.
· Find out what training you will get and any support or mentor you will be provided – starting out can be a little daunting so having someone you can chat things through with is really useful.
· Try and get an idea of what commitments would be expected from you.
· Don’t be afraid to try out a number of opportunities and then pick one that suits what you want, what motivates you and what you can commit to.
More generally, here are my 3 tips to get involved in volunteering more generally.
· Do something you enjoy or are passionate about, but don’t let this passion make it all about you, as ultimately you are there to help others in some way.
· Be selfish – be clear from the outset of what you can and can’t do. Volunteers will be welcomed with open arms but an honest conversation at the start can manage on-going expectations. If it starts to be a chore you will stop enjoying and others won’t benefit.
· Think about what you’ll get from the opportunity – again this may seem selfish but volunteering can stretch you in new ways in a completely different environment than your day job and may even spark new opportunities in the future.
Sue Maughan is a former BUCS Board Director, Sport Wales Advisory Group member and current UK Athletics National Technical Field Official.
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