36 Years on the Field, as Tony Okulicz Hangs Up the Clipboard
Published Wed 30 Sep 2026
In 1989, Tony Okulicz's kids were just starting out in athletics when someone tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he'd like to help out as an official. He said yes, and he never looked back.
More than three decades later, Tony will finish his officiating career at the 2026 All Schools Championships, closing a chapter that has shaped the sport in NSW and beyond.
Tony started with Smithfield Athletics and became a regular NSW Athletics official in the late '90s. Appointments at national and international meets followed, including the 2000 Paralympic Games and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
In 2009 he was one of two NSW Officials selected to complete an Area Technical Official (ATO) course with Oceania. His highest appointment was as a Chief Field Judge at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. It was the second Commonwealth Games he had officiated at.
Tony has always been someone who worked behind the scenes to help make competitions run smoothly. His commitment, attention to detail and willingness to contribute wherever needed have played an important role in the success of athletics meets.
It’s the kind of work that often goes unseen, but makes a lasting difference.
Ask Tony for his favourite memory, and it's not a medal or a milestone. It's a ladder. Officiating the high jump at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Tony discovered that reaching the bar at the required height was a little beyond his reach, so a ladder became part of the process. Small in stature, big in heart, he took it in his stride, and it's a story his fellow officials still enjoy telling.
At the core of it all have always been the athletes. Tony has watched so many young people grow and develop through the sport, and he says that’s the part he values most.
"You get a different appreciation from the ground than you do from the stands. Down here, you see the journey.” Tony said
“You see kids come through as youngsters and you watch them grow and get better. I've been lucky to see that with Matt Denny over the years, and that's something you just don't get anywhere else."
Athletics is a family affair for Tony. His own kids were the reason he got involved, and now his grandkids take part in the sport too. He may still turn up at the odd school carnival, but he's stepping back from the top level. With more free time, he and his wife plan to travel, one of his great passions.
From everyone at NSW Athletics - thank you, Tony. Thousands of hours, more than 30 decades, and countless athletes supported along the way.
Every athlete who steps onto the track, runway or throwing circle relies on officials. Tony's story started with a tap on the shoulder, so consider this yours. You don't need experience, just a willingness to learn. Whether your kids are in the sport or you simply love athletics, there's a place for you.
