For many athletes and those in the sport of athetics Norma Blaine MBE was a familiar face and was a key part of the Club for many years. Tributes from across the sport have demonstrated how well she was regarded by very many people, from those who started their career under her guidance to those who worked with her in adminstration roles across the sport.
Norma started out as a race walker, although she never achieved much competitive success. She was encouraged by Nelson Neal to go into administration, both at club, region and national level. She had a long career as a volunteer, which included roles as a coach, qualifying in 1960, a team manager, technical official and club committee member, reaching the office of both club chair and two terms as Club President, the first woman to achieve these positions.
Norma was awarded an MBE in 2010 for her services to the sport. She held various administrative roles in BAF (the forerunner to UKA) Midland Counties, the UK Women’s League and the National Young Athletics league which became the YDL.
She will be sadly missed by all those who knew her and particularly those at Birchfield as it was said by many "Birchfield was her life". She dies peacefully in a home after a short unexpected illness.