Australian Athletics 30-years service award: NEIL BARNETT: Kembla Joggers

25 July 2026

Australian Athletics 30-years service: NEIL BARNETT: Kembla Joggers

At the recent NSW Cross Country, we recognised the outstanding service to Athletics in NSW by Neil Barnett of the Kembla Joggers club.

Neil was awarded the 30-year Australian Athletics service pin which recognises service as a technical official or administrator.

Neil Barnett’s service has been extraordinary. His significant contribution to Kembla Joggers has been over 35-years as either President or Secretary. He first served as President in 1992 at the age of 23. For almost his entire adult life he has served the club in significant roles. It would be fair to say over those 35 years there would not be a week go by that Neil has not had a meeting, organised an event, or completed a dozen other administrative tasks. 

Driven by Neil, over those three plus decades the Kembla Joggers club have evolved into one of the leading clubs in NSW, winning many cross country awards and developing athletes to an international level. The club and Neil have provided a positive environment for tens of thousands of athletes to enjoy running. 

But much more during his time Neil has led the club as they developed a purpose-built running facility – the Kembla Joggers XC Park. In addition to a running course, the facility has significant infrastructure – a club house, competition administration spaces, a PA systems, a kitchen, canteen and equipment shed.

To develop such a facility in the early 2000s, Neil worked with local, NSW and Australian Governments to help finance the facility, supporting the club’s own fund-raising efforts. Attending Neil’s presentation recently were two local government representatives Carol Berry (Federal Member for Whitlam) and Linda Campbell (Deputy Lord Mayor for Wollongong).

During Neil’s decades at the helm the Kembla Joggers XC Park has hosted two Australian Cross Country Championships, eight NSW XC Championships and hundreds of school XC events; this year alone there have been 16 school XCs events here.

The Wollongong area and wider NSW athletics community have been very fortunate to have Neil Barnett’s involvement and enormous impact. Without doubt he has helped fostered health and fitness for tens of thousands of people through his involvement with Kembla Joggers. His impact on the health and wellbeing of those thousands of people is immeasurable. What a legacy Neil !

Neil, the sport is enormously grateful for your exceptional volunteer service to athletics.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Neil Barnett’s presentation at the NSW Short Course Cross Country Championships (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)