OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to the 2015 Official of the Year – Alberta’s PHILIIPPA FAIRBAIRN!
The 2015 outdoor season was a prime example of the time commitment Philippa makes to athletics officiating. In addition to the usual bench of local and provincial competitions, Philippa was Officials’ Coordinator for the Canadian Junior/Senior/Para Championships, the TrackTown Classic, the Pan Am Junior Championships, and the Western Canada Summer Games. Not only does she coordinate who will be at each meet, but she is monitoring who needs to be mentored, who needs credits where, and giving a nudge of encouragement to any and all officials. She is also the first to be suggesting after meet camaraderie sessions. Philippa has also been actively involved in the Alberta and National Officials Committees over the years. Philippa will receive her award in Edmonton at the Awards Gala prior to the Olympic/Paralympic Trials where she will again be coordinating things.
Congratulations Philippa on a well-deserved Official of the Year Award !
OFFICIALS’ WALL OF HONOUR RECIPIENT
Congratulations to the 2015 Officials’ Wall of Honour recipient – Ontario’s JANET SLOCOMBE!
Janet Slocombe has been an Athletics Official for 42 years, with a focus on jumping events. She is a Level 5 official in both Horizontal and Vertical disciplines and a greatly respected Jumps Referee. Beyond her exemplary work in the field, Janet has also worked with her husband Tim (last year’s Wall of Honour recipient) on the development and delivery of officiating clinics across the province of Ontario, and has also served as a clinician and mentor in other provinces as well.
In 2014 at the Canada Games, she and Tim presented National Clinics in both Horizontal and Vertical Jumps, and even went so far as to convert their room to an office to produce materials for other clinics, exams, and mentoring for many other officials. They also hosted a National Horizontal Jumps Clinic at their home for 3 officials and followed it with a chili dinner and social time.
For these reasons and more, Janet is always high on the list of requested officials from meet organizers around the country. Many of our jumps officials credit Janet as their true mentor and the biggest influence on their officiating careers.
Congratulations Janet, and thank you for your many years of service to the sport! We look forward to seeing you out in the field at the Paralympic/Olympic Trials in Edmonton!
