AA Life Membership: Caroline Jackman

Caroline Perry was a dedicated athlete who made her mark at both state and national level as a junior and senior. The javelin throw was her chosen event – her career crossing the changeover from the old model women’s 600 gram implement to that which is now used. Her personal best was 49.16m.

The former state champion, now Caroline Jackman, has served athletics for more than 30 years and is now one of Australia’s most highly qualified officials. She has made a significant contribution to the South Australian athletics community through sustained voluntary service as an official at club and state level – and in turn nationally and internationally.

Caroline now officiates at most Athletics SA track and field events, including state championships, and plays a central role throughout the summer season. As field referee and chief field judge, she also mentors developing officials and supports their progression within the sport and has been President of the SA Officials Club.

After progressing quickly through the national officials qualifications that were then available, Caroline obtained the IAAF Level Diploma in Officiating in 2013 and was appointed to the Oceania Area Technical Official (now Silver Referees) Panel in 2014 where she served until taking the next step up the ladder ten years later.

In 2018, Caroline was appointed to the World Para Athletics (WPA) Panel of International Technical Officials as one of only two Australians, and she has continued to be appointed to that panel, reflecting the high regard in which she is held internationally. In 2024, she achieved the highest level of qualification under the World Athletics education system as a Gold Referee.

Major WPA appointments include as an international technical official (ITO) and field referee for the 2020 (2021) Tokyo and 2024 Paris Paralympics and the 2025 Sydney Marathon, as the video referee for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi and as Technical Delegate for 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships.

These appointments distinguish Caroline from her peers and demonstrate her commitment to attaining international qualifications, maintaining high professional standards and representing Australian athletics with distinction overseas.

Her first international competition appointment came soon after her retirement as an athlete when she was selected as a field judge for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Come the Gold Coast edition of those Games in 2018, she had progressed through the officiating ranks to become one of four chief judges appointed for field events. By then it was a role she had also performed many times at state and national events.

Caroline engages in both administration and officiating on a voluntary basis, demonstrating exceptional passion, dedication and commitment to supporting young officials, athletes and the broader athletics community in South Australia and nationally.

Caroline is a life member of Athletics SA, has served on the Board and is a long-term member of the Track and Field Committee. Her involvement in these demonstrates Caroline’s commitment to the growth of the sport, not only from an officiating standpoint, but to a sport overall.

Caroline was recognised as the official of the year in the 2018 Australian Athletics Annual Awards and with the same honour in the same year at the South Australian Sports Federation Awards. She has also been acknowledged by Athletics SA for her outstanding achievements.

Caroline is a life member of her club, Tea Tree Gully AC, having been a member for more than 30 years. In addition to her contribution as an athlete, she has coached successful throws athletes, officiating throughout those times and represented TTGAC at interclub events and state championships.

Her contribution demonstrates Caroline’s outstanding capability, sustained commitment and significant service as an athletics official and administrator in Australia and beyond. Her involvement has strengthened officiating standards, supported athlete development and enriched the athletics community at club, state, national and international level.

Caroline is always an enthusiastic volunteer for local organising committees for AA tour meets and national championships held in South Australia. Her vigilance in ensuring technical readiness and compliance and adequate supplies of equipment is particularly valuable amongst her other contributions.

The AA Technical Committee has been stronger for her membership since its establishment and she has been part of the leadership group delivering the next generation of national competition directors and technical delegates. Her grasp of the WPA rules and her empathy and understanding of what is required for athletes across the classifications is invaluable to the committee’s work and the delivery of competitions.

Caroline is a first-choice competition director for AA circuit meets and championships. After been given little notice for her first appointment in the role, she has taken to the role like a duck to water – quickly earning respect amongst key service providers for her calm and thoughtful approach especially when the unexpected occurs.

Caroline’s voluntary commitment to athletics sees no boundaries and is particularly motivated by her passion and desire to support athletes and young officials. She is a worthy recipient of life membership of Australian Athletics.