This year, Gordon Ainsley celebrates an incredible milestone: 50 years of volunteering in athletics. And in fitting tribute to his half-century of dedication, this extraordinary individual has been recognized with the very award for which he was nominated, cementing his place as one of the sport’s most impactful volunteers.
A Passion Turned Lifelong Vocation
Gordon’s journey began in the 1960s as a competitive athlete, specializing in the 400m hurdles at Chelmsford AC. Following a back injury, he transitioned his passion into coaching after moving to Birmingham in 1970.
This marked the start of a deep commitment that would see him become a significant figure through several club evolutions—from Warley AC to Borough of Sandwell AC, then Birmingham Rowheath AC, and finally to the formation of the Birmingham Running, Athletics & Triathlon (BRAT) club in 2010. Gordon was instrumental in each merger, ensuring the club always focused on serving both the sport and the local community.
The Coach Who Mentored Champions
As a qualified performance coach (Level 3 sprint hurdles), Gordon’s expertise has been invaluable. For 50 years, three times a week, come rain or shine, he has been on the track, coaching hundreds of athletes from Under 11s right up to Masters.
His coaching legacy includes:
- English Schools’ Athletes (Recently: Bonheur Tsibola and Robert Lee).
- A National Champion (Cypriot Mike Lozias).
- An Olympic Bobsleigher (Andy Booton).
- A World and European Masters Finalist (James Colclough).
Beyond the accolades, Gordon has dedicated time to mentoring other budding coaches, securing the future of expert guidance within the clubs.
An Official Who Lived the Big Moments
Gordon holds high-level qualifications as a Field Official (Level 4) and Track Judge (Level 2). Since the 1990s, he has been a powerhouse in event organization, running numerous club meetings and doing the necessary fundraising to increase the accessibility of grass-roots athletics.
His commitment to officiating has taken him from local leagues to the biggest stages:
- The London 2012 Olympics, where he had the tremendous honor of leading Mo Farah out to the track for his historic 10km victory on ‘Super Saturday.’
- The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.
- The World Championships in London in 2017.
A True Winner
The award marks the culmination of an extraordinary career. Gordon Ainsley’s dedication, which reached its golden jubilee in 2024, embodies the true spirit of athletics—unwavering commitment to the technical aspects of the sport, the development of athletes across all ages, and consistent service to the community. He is more than a volunteer; he is the foundation upon which generations of local athletics success have been built.
