Jill Taylor awarded NSW Masters Athletics Association life membership
Masters athlete Jill Taylor has become just the 13th person since 1971 to be awarded a NSW Masters Athletics Association life membership.
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It is rare for a national athletic gold medal to be someone’s second biggest achievement of the year.
After claiming gold in the throws pentathlon at the Australian Masters Athletics Championships in April, 63-year-old Cherrybrook resident Jill Taylor was honoured with a life membership from the NSW Masters Athletics Association.
“It’s a great honour; I’m only the 13th person to receive this since the state association started back in 1971,” Taylor said.
“I started as registrar back in 2009. I’ve also been vice president, secretary, distance rep and their first (and still only) female president.
“I’m a believer in giving back to the sports and groups I’ve been involved in during my life.
“You don’t do it for any reward but after 10 years of commitment, it’s really nice to have that work noted and appreciated.”
Along with her stellar work behind the scenes, Taylor is also one of Australia’s best masters athletes.
Before claiming a gold and five silvers at this year’s nationals, Taylor represented Australia at the Masters World Indoor Championships in Poland, where she earned four top 10 finishes.
Although thrilled with her results so far this year, Taylor is fully focused on making the most of the Oceania championships in Mackay, Queensland in September.
“I’ve been training pretty hard since the national championships ended and I’m hopeful of some good distances in the throws and some fast times in the 60m and 100m events I’ve also entered,” she said.
“I’ve also entered the triple jump, plus both the throws and outdoor pentathlons, so I’ll definitely be very busy while I’m up in Mackay.”
Jill is a Hills Shire Times Service to Sportnominee for the 2019 Local Sports Stars competition.
The awards recognise and reward talented athletes as well as the hardworking volunteers who keep associations running each weekend.
For details or to nominate someone you know, go to localsportsstars.com.au
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