DAC official Ernie honoured by England Athletics for 70 years’ service to the sport

Derby Athletic Club officiating legend Ernie Cripps has been honoured by England Athletics for his 70 years of service to the sport.

Chris Jones, CEO of EA, attended the club training night on Tuesday to present an amazed Ernie with a special award to mark 70 years of athletics officiating.

Chris (pictured with Ernie) said: “England Athletics wants to thank you for everything; you are an inspiration to other volunteers, truly giving them someone to look up to. We are so grateful for all your work.”

Officiating and coaching colleagues from Derby Athletic Club and across Derbyshire were there to wish Ernie well, taking the chance to applaud his efforts and dedication to the sport.

Ernie, who turned 99 last year, has finally decided to put away his stopwatch and call a halt to his time on the officials’ team at DAC, where he has for many years been a stalwart of the timekeeping team.

Club president Angie Ward (pictured with Ernie) said: “Ernie has been part of this club for so many years and tonight we are celebrating his 70 years of officiating for the sport. He is a font of experience and wisdom, and always reliable. This award is more than deserved.”

Ernie has taken on many committee roles for club and county over the years, officiating at track and field matches, and always about on club nights to offer support, as well as working as the club’s officials officer, with colleague Bemigho Etuwewe.

Chris Cohen, a Derbyshire official who himself has more than 50 years’ experience at the highest level, wrote a letter of congratulations to Ernie. He said: “Ernie has always been thoughtful and forward-looking in his ideas to promote the sport locally. Nationally and locally, as a timekeeper, he has officiated at many events, and even at his advanced age, he is still one of the most accurate timekeepers in the country. I cannot think of anyone more deserving to be recognised.”

Ernie (pictured with his cake), with typical modesty, commented that he had volunteered for so long simply because he enjoyed it: “You always keep going if you keep enjoying it; that’s how I feel about it.”

DAC chair Paul Blakey also praised Ernie’s dedication to the sport: “It’s an unbelievable level of service from Ernie, both to the club and to the sport, and we are so grateful to him for all his hard work over so many years.”

If you would like to follow in Ernie’s footsteps and get involved in officiating for the club, we would love to hear from you. The club is able to pay for Level 1 courses. More details on this page.