VALE: Neil Hinton

29 May 2026

VALE: Neil Hinton

NSW Athletics is saddened to hear of the passing of Neil Hinton, a significant contributor to athletics in NSW for over three decades.

From the Central Coast of NSW, Neil was involved in our sport at every level – as an athlete, coach, club and State administrator and technical official. His contributions in these areas was immense, ranging from being an International Technical Official, to Athletics NSW Board Member and for nearly three decades as a club administrator.

Born in Sydney on 31 July 1952, Neil grew up in Greenacre and completed a Diploma of Teaching at Sydney Teachers College. He would later complete a Graduate Diploma of Teaching from Charles Stuart University. His first appointment as a teacher was to Gilgandra, where he would meet his future wife, Janice. In the early 1980s they moved to the Central Coast (South Tacoma) where for the next 35 years until retirement, Neil would teach at Brisbane Waters Secondary College.

Growing up Neil was a sprinter and hurdler and competed at the Combined High School Athletics carnival at the Sydney Sports Ground. Aged 18, he joined Bankstown-Canterbury Athletics Club in 1970/71 and was a member of Bankstown Sports Athletics Club for a further two years before he left Sydney.

On the Central Coast in the 1990s, he became heavily involved in athletics. He started his officiating journey in 1994, going on to be appointed at the highest level of the sport, as a Field Judge at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Prior to this, he had been appointed as a sport specific volunteer at the Athletics Training and Warm-up venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympics (SOPAC). For more than two decades he was a regular technical official at NSW Athletics and Australian Athletics competitions. He was often appointed chief judge. During these years, wife Janice Hinton also officiated also side him.

Neil Hinton’s contribution to NSW Athletics was significant. He was an Athletics NSW Board Member for over nine years (8 Sep 2008 to 21 Sept 2017) and during 13 years from 2004 to 2017 he sat on four Athletics NSW committees – Officials Committee, Officials Advisory Panel, Competition Review Committee and the Board Risk Sub-committee. He was recognised by Athletics NSW for his service in 2010 when he received a Merit Award and in 2013 with Life Membership. Over the last decade Neil also served on the LANSW Competitions and Championships advisory Committee and newly formed Officials Education Sub-Committee.

Locally, on the Central Coast, Neil’s impact was enormous. He first registered with Wyong Athletics Club in 1994, and by 1996 started a 27-year stint holding all major positions on the club committee – 2-years as President (98/99, 09/10), 2-years as Vice President (96/97-97/98), 12-years as Secretary (98/99 to 00/01, 03/04-05/06, 10/11-12/13, 14/15, 24/25) and 15-years as Treasurer (05/06, 10/11-23/24). Last season (25/26) Neil was a committee member. During his time at the club, they have grown from small numbers to 249 members this year. Neil was also awarded Life Membership of the Wyong Athletics Club.

Neil also coached athletes and was a level 3 coach in sprints/hurdles/throws and a level 1 and 2 coach education presenter.

He also assisted the region and over the years was: secretary and treasurer of Central Coast Region, member of the Hunter Regional Advisory Panel and on the Local Organising Committee for the Central Coast Country Championships and at the Sydney North (CHS) athletics carnival, he would officiate and mentor other teachers.

In later years Neil competed in Masters athletics winning State titles in his 60s.

Neil and Janice’s son Ian was an athlete and coach, and as a teacher moved to Warren in the country before relocating back to Oran Park in Sydney in 2021. The administration influence of Neil rubbed off on son Ian, who in recent years has been Combined High Schools Athletics Convenor.

Neil Hinton’s contribution to NSW Athletics and athletics in NSW and on the Central Coast has been significant. Tens of thousands of athletes have been positively impacted by his involvement as an official, coach and administrator (club & State). The sport is much healthier for his involvement. Thank you Neil.

The athletics community send their condolences to Neil’s wife Janice and children Ian and Kimberlee.

RIP Neil.

Funeral details for Neil Hinton: Wednesday 3rd June 2026 10.30am at Hillside Chapel, Palmdale.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Images: Neil Hinton (images courtesy of David Tarbotton)