The Board of BMX Australia has today announced the appointment of Mr Paul Connors to the position of National Officiating Director. Mr Connors, who has stepped down from the presidency of BMX Queensland fills the role after it became vacant at the recent Annual General Meeting. A Board appointed position, the National Officiating Director oversees and promotes the pathways of officiating within BMX, provides advice for officials regarding re-accreditation under the national framework along with chairing the BMX Australia Technical Committee.BMX Australia’s President Mr Barry Knight welcomed Mr Connors to the role saying Paul brings considerable national and international officiating experience with him.
“The nomination process for the role brought out a number of strong candidates with the Board looking at all nominees,” Mr Knight said. “Paul’s nomination was backed by quite a lot of work
he has undertaken proactively of which gaining his international accreditation through the UCI was one example.
“The sport has such an international influence, and here in Australia where we hold several UCI rounds, the National Officiating Director needs to be of that high caliber.”
Mr Connors experience spans over 16 years in the sport where he first rode when introducing his son Kerrod to BMX before becoming an administrator and being active as an official for the last 11 years. An official at the 2009 World Championships in Australia, Paul served as a National Commissaire during last years World Championships in Auckland having held similar roles during the BMX Australia National Series and National Championships.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to move onto the National Board from being State President of the sports largest membership base,” Mr Connors said.
“The last 11 years have seen me progress from club, regional and to state and then through to becoming a nationally accredited official. In 2012 I travelled to Louisville, Kentucky where the course was held to become a UCI international official; I self-funded my study with the recommendation from BMX Australia to the UCI to undertake the course.
“From an officiating perspective a lot changes year to year. My role as National Officiating Director will be working with the State Officiating Directors through the BMX Australia Technical Committee to continue the education and learning process for all of the sports officials right down to the grass roots.”
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.