Athletics SA welcomed five new members to its’ honour list of Life Members

Athletics SA welcomed five new members to its’ honour list of Life Members at the 2022/23 Annual General Meeting held on Monday 20 November 2023. 

“This year Don Brown, Karen Fisk, David Prince OAM, Rick Wilson and the late Alan Launder AM have been added to a wonderful group of contributors to our sport. Each of our 2023 nominees have rendered distinguished service to the Association or athletics over many years and assisted in the advancement of athletics in South Australia”, Athletics SA CEO Shane Fuller said. 

Don Brown 

Starting his athletics journey back in 1959, Don came to Adelaide from the Yorke Peninsula to play football for West Adelaide. He was invited to train at the Western Districts Amateur Athletic Club (now Western Athletics Club). 60 years later he still is associated with the club and has been awarded life membership. 

During this time in the sport Don has been a valuable asset to Athletics SA through serving as an official for 40 years and 35 years spent as a state team coach. He has contributed 15 years as a representative on the management club council and 4 years as a board representative.  

Karen Fisk 

Karen is no stranger to the track, being an athlete herself for over 15 years at the Port Adelaide Athletics Club where she is now a life member. Representing South Australia in both track and field and cross country events throughout her athletics journey, she then began volunteering as an Athletics SA Official in 2001.  

Over the past 22 years Karen has found a love of officiating jumps at our regular competitions. But her repertoire of skills does not stop there having officiated at Nationals, Commonwealth Games and World and National Cross Country. 

Alan Launder AM (awarded posthumously)* 

Alan was an educator, author and the coach and principal driver of the South Australian pole vault program for many years. He passed away suddenly on 31 August 2014.  As the national event coach for pole vault, he saw Australia move into world-class standing with many fine results, including a female world-record holder, the men’s world champion in 2001 and 2009, and the men’s Olympic champion in 2008. He also mentored current athlete Kurtis Marschall as a junior. The ASA library of athletics publications is named the Launder-Petherick Library and Alan was recognised on the Athletics SA Honour Roll. 

Alan earnt Life Membership to Athletics Australia through the design of a junior development program. At a National level he was a coach in the Australian Olympic Team for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and Head Coach of the Australian Junior Team to the World Championships in Canada 1988.  

David Prince OAM 

David is a decorated athlete and administrator within our community. Competing as a hurdler in the Perth 1962 and Kingston 1966 Commonwealth Games, David earnt a silver medal in his first Games in the 120 Yard Hurdles with a time of 14.4 seconds. 

He was Athletics SA President from 1986 to 1992 and Athletics Australia President from 1989 to 1996. David has previously been recognised on the Athletics SA Honour Roll for his services and by Athletics Australia as a Life Governor. 

David has held numerous administrator roles including being a representative on the 

Australian Olympic Committee Executive Board, South Australian Olympic Council President, South Australian Games Appeal Committee and the Australian Sports Commission Executive Board. 

Rick Wilson  

Rick started his journey with Athletics SA as a successful sprinter in the 1960’s before moving to coaching with both Western Districts and Saints Athletics Club. 

He played a pivotal role in the introduction of female participation in the Saints Athletics Club from 2012. Continuing his passion for inclusion, he was instrumental in establishing an ‘inclusion’ program as a result of seeing an opportunity to introduce migrants to the sport, notably from the African continent.   

Rick also escorts and coaches' athletes from South Australia to the USA to offer another level of competition and development experiences.  

Life Membership is a prestigious award bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contribution to Athletics in South Australia.  Click here to view the full list of Life Members.

Life Membership can be recommended by Friday, 31 March 2024 via written submission to the Chief Executive Officer outlining the services rendered by the nominee.  

Eligibility for Life Membership is restricted to individuals who have provided at least 15 years of outstanding service to the sport of athletics in South Australia to the benefit of the Association. Please refer to by-law 7 of the By-Laws of the Athletic Association of South Australia Incorporated for all information. 

* Deceased