Bunbury Little Athletics president awarded Official of the Year

After being nominated in 2020, Bunbury and Districts Little Athletics Club president Paul Lever received the award of Official of the Year for his involvement in the sport in both coaching and officiating.

Lever said after winning the Western Australian state award last season, being awarded the national title for 2020 was a nice recognition.

"To be part of little athletics at a local, state and now national level is so great," he said.

"I'm the president of the club but I also do officiating, announcing, training and coaching.

The Bunbury and Districts Little Athletics Club has members from as young as five and includes sports such as javelin, shot put, high jump and triple jump.

After joining little athletics as a child, Lever said it was when his own children begun getting involved into the sport that he moved into officiating.

"My 16-year-old daughter Erin received an injury so she moved into officiating as a way of of staying involved with the sport. It's a pathway into the sport that a lot of people don't see, it opens a lot of doors."

As an officiator for little athletics, the role includes starting races, time keeping, judging and ensuring rules are adhered to.

Lever said being named Official of the Year was a great way to promote not only the sport but the role of officiating as well.

"I love being an officiator mostly because I get to be closer to the kids as they're competing in their event, not sitting in the grand stand like in footy. I just love being out there, plus I don't have to run as fast as a referee does in AFL."

The 2020 Coles Little Athletics Australia Hall of Fame only announced its winners last month due to the event being postponed and then held virtually due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The awards celebrate the induction of six individuals into the achievers, volunteer, sports person and official of the year categories.

Lever was nominated based on his repeated participation at state competitions in Perth, his outstanding contributions to each season and for being a passionate member of the Bunbury and Districts Little Athletics Club for ten years.

Lever said little athletics allowed children to learn motor skills early on as well as promoting family time.

"It's great when you see kids enjoying what they're doing and get a personal best because you know how much work they've put in to get there. I love the whole vibe and feel of little athletics."

"From a family perspective, I like the way that little athletics can allow your kids to compete at the same time and at the same venue. Everyone can be together."