OFFICIALS IN FOCUS - DAVE & GAY WYATT

David and Gay Wyatt are two of our incredible officials who have been involved in athletics for almost 60 years, through competing, coaching and officiating.

Dave excelled in sprints and jumps at school in the 1960s, whilst Gay also enjoyed athletics throughout primary and secondary school. They became further involved with athletics when their two daughters joined Melville Little Athletics Centre in the early 1990s, whilst also joining Masters Athletics WA to compete too.

As regular competitors at Masters competitions, both locally and nationally, Dave and Gay have both enjoyed success in their events. Dave finished in the top eight at the 2016 World Masters Track and Field Championships, held here in Perth, in Long Jump, Triple Jump and High Jump. He also won the 2018 Australian Masters Athletic Championships (M65) Triple Jump.

Dave loves the camaraderie and the mutual encouragement that is an integral part of athletics in WA. He enjoys helping reintroduce athletics to new Masters athletes who haven’t competed since school and guiding them towards success in competitions as part of the Masters WA family.

“Coaching my Masters squad members to achieve their best in state, national and international competitions, with a total international medal haul in excess of 30,” Dave described as what has produced some of his most memorable moments in athletics to date.

Gay is the current W60 State Record holder in both the High Jump and the Pentathlon and won a gold medal in the W60 Pentathlon at the 2018 Australian Masters Athletic Championships – an impressive feat for someone who up until seven years ago only competed in running.

“After a gap of over 40 years [from athletics] and a couple of years after my retirement from teaching, I joined the WA Masters Athletics Club. Initially I would occasionally run on a Tuesday night but seven years ago I branched out and started competing in different events and at State level and found I enjoyed the competition and was achieving excellent results in some events,” Gay said of her Masters experience.

Gay also enjoys the opportunity spectating and officiating provides to witness athletes perfecting their craft and the pure joy on an athlete’s face when they have achieved a personal best.

The duo make a valuable contribution to the athletics community, and plan to continue competing, coaching and officiating into the future.

We would like to thank Dave and Gay for sharing their experience with us and we look forward to seeing them back on track for the 2020-21 Season.