Jerry Everett (1961 - 2008)
Although Jerry only joined us early in 2008, he was already known to many of us as an athletics official who had joined us at the Eastern Region Championships for many years.
Such was Jerry's passion to help our members that it seems as though he had been a member for years. So completely did he commit himself to working with the Panthers that he is held in such warm regard by the members. His enthusiasm to learn how to get the best from the athletes and indeed from himself was fantastic. Despite the severity of his own illness he worked tirelessly for all our athletes. Even socially Jerry played a full role. Who will forget the visit of Spiderman to the fancy dress evening?
Jerry was extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of the sport of athletics but was particularly experienced as both a race walker and a race-walking judge. Using that experience, Jerry was quickly able to identify that some of our athletes would be better suited to race-walking than to running and he had begun some sessions with the athletes and had even brought one of his protégés along to help.
Nothing was ever too much trouble for Jerry and when asked to be our Vice Chairman he was delighted to accept and looked forward to being able to discharge his duties in that position. Sadly we will not be able to have what would undoubtedly have been a wonderful Vice-chairman. To justify his election to the position, Jerry felt that he should lodge his credentials with us and below is the list of his achievements that he gave to us at the AGM.
"Involved in local athletics since 1981.
Written
2 books on the history of athletics in
Qualified as a coach in 1988
Has been involved with National and Regional squads for many years and has coached athletes to International level. Two are now at the top of the UK national Rankings
Coaches a weekly group of aged 9-14 athletes in Colchester at all disciplines of athletics.
A Qualified Field Judge, Track Judge, Starters marksman and Race Walk judge since 1987.
Visited over 100 tracks both as an official and a competitor.
As a competitor reached both Regional and county standard
Has
a vast endurance race experience with over
150 marathons (21
A couple of 100 mile races and several 100 km races.
Qualified as a Centurion by Race walking 100 miles in 24 hours under Race Walking Association rules
Organised many races over the years including National regional and county championship events.
Backed up several athletes in endurance events both in this country and abroad.
Currently chairman of the local North Essex Cross country league for the last 7 years.
Been
on club
and local
sports council committees
in Colchester
and on the
Researched
and put in place all the club records at every age and
every discipline
for
Joined Orwell Panthers at the start of 2008."