Tim Wilding

New Forest Junior Athletic Club

Tim Wilding

17 April 1944 – 3 November 2021

Tim Wilding established New Forest Juniors back in 1999 with just a handful of dedicated members, as a small training group for youngsters interested in partaking in the Hampshire Youth Games.  Following success in the Youth Games, and with the support of New Forest District Council, Tim was able to permanently set up the club shortly afterwards.

In providing young athletes of all abilities the opportunity to pursue the sport at a local and regional level, through his unwavering enthusiasm and commitment, Tim developed and grew New Forest Juniors into the thriving club we know today.

Tim expressed a great sense of pride in having established a club that has encouraged so many children in to the sport, helping them to fulfill their athletic ambitions. Now counting numerous County and English Schools representatives amongst its membership of athletes, the club has gone from strength to strength, with league winning performances in the UKA Youth Development League, Wessex Young Athletes League, Wessex Cross Country League and Hampshire Sportshall League.

Tim’s ability to keep things simple and friendly has encouraged athletes to flourish not only in athletics, but in their pursuits outside the sporting arena too.  Tim’s ethos on coaching, athlete development and friendships between parents, coaches and athletes was, and will always be, at the very heart of the club. 

Not content with being just an inspirational coach, Tim progressed through his officiating training and was an active official in the field, on the track and on the timekeeping stand. Ever present at each and every club event, be it track & field, cross country or sportshall, Tim was also a consistent presence at the local schools meetings, having attended nearly every cross country and track & field meet on the New Forest/Hampshire schools calendar, often on starter pistol duties.  Indeed his commitment to and passion for the sport meant he and wife Tina were often the first to arrive and the last to leave.  Tim was also the long serving President of the Wessex Young Athletes Track & Field League.

Tim was such a kind man, with never a bad word to say about anyone.  He also had a fantastically dry sense of humour.  Having touched the lives of so many, he will be sorely missed by all those at New Forest Juniors, both past and present, as well as the wider athletics community too.  However, all would agree that in New Forest Juniors, Tim leaves a legacy of which he and his family can be so very, very proud.

Time to rest now Tim x