FIVE WA OFFICIALS EARN WORLD ATHLETICS ACCREDITATION IN 2025

Australian Athletics' officiating base continues to grow, with 34 newly accredited officials earning their World Athletics qualification in 2025. Among the announced cohort of newly accredited officials were five West Australians who were awarded their World Athletics Bronze Referee accreditation.

Mark Blackman, Dean Fleming, Bernadette Hennighan, Paul Lever and Rachel Williams were all successful in attaining their accreditation after years of training, education and commitment to the delivery of athletics in WA and across the country. 

Athletics West CEO Vince Del Prete welcomed the news and acknowledged "the growing depth and variety of expertise in WA's officiating cohort as a sign of the sports' growing footprint."

"On behalf of a grateful community, I would like to congratulate all of the successful candidates who have dedicated their time to improving and officiating our sport. It is a testament to see more West Australians earn their accreditation, and I hope our community will help celebrate this outstanding accomplishment."

"The recent Perth based Australian Athletics Championships can't happen with out a strong and well educated officaiting group, so it's thanks to people like Mark, Dean, Bernadette, Paul and Rachel that we can continue to bid and deliver world class events."

A total of 36 Australians (19 women and 17 men) were successfully evaluated, two of whom were already international officials in their specialist areas.

Further opportunities for officials to acquire international qualifications will be available later this year, with bronze and silver evaluations available in race walking. There will also be an eight-year re-evaluation for our longest-serving gold referees.

The full list of succesfull Australian World Athletics Bronze Referee candidates in 2025 can be found HERE. 

To start your officaiting journey, contact Athletics West on 08 6272 0480 or email admin@athleticswest.com.au

You can follow all the athletics action via the Athletics West Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok pages.  

Media Release by David Smith (Additional information Australian Athletics)