VALE Nicky Jenneke

17 May 2025

VALE Nicky Jenneke

The NSW athletics community is in mourning over the loss of a most valued member Nicky Jenneke, aged just 55. The Cherrybrook club administrator sadly passed away this week.

Nicky was the ‘life and soul of her club’ and few in athletics would not know her. There would rarely be a competition in Australia she did not attend. In recent times she was confined to a mobility scooter, but that did not stop even attending the Australian championships in Perth this year.

For 26-years she had been an administrator at Cherrybrook Senior and Little Athletics Centre, holding all the major executive positions - President, Vice President, Treasurer and Registrar and her most recent committee position was Senior Competition Coordinator.

Nicky was the face of Cherrybrook. Affectionately known as the “grandmother of the club” she was so full of enthusiasm, and everything she did, was for the kids. There was no job too big or too small for her and her primary focus was on the athletes’ enjoyment. Her energy and enthusiasm was enormous. Nicky was the first one to the field and the last one to leave and then spent countless hours completing administrative tasks behind the scenes. Over the years, to financially support the club, she’d run the canteen on training nights and organise team clothing and merchandise.

She would continually come up with new ideas about how best to improve the club and its working systems. She’d attend all training, events and competitions. An inaugural member of the senior club, Nicky also directly coached athletes.

Every club needs someone to be the motor that keeps it moving forward but in many people’s eyes Nicky was the entire vessel that kept the club moving forward. She did things with enthusiasm and passion and with a wonderful positive sense of humour and attitude.

Nicky Jenneke was recognised for her incredible volunteer service when in 2019 she was named Athletics NSW Administrator of the Year and in the same year she was a finalist in the Sport NSW Community Awards for Administrator of the Year category.

During her decades in the sport Nicky had a very positive impact on thousands of athletes. Our sport is so much richer for Nicky’s involvement. Thank you Nicky.

Our condolences to Nicky’s family Randall, Cathy and Shelly and her friends, athletes and clubmates.

RIP Nicky

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Nicky Jenneke and Matthew Joyce in November 2024 (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)