Meet Our Dedicated Team

Discover the team that drives our mission to enhance athletics across all disciplines.

Joe Mower – President

For more than five decades, Joe Mower has been one of the most dedicated and influential figures in athletics across Suffolk, the East of England and the national stage. His journey began in 1967 with Ipswich Harriers, where he has served as Cross Country Secretary, Honorary Secretary and Club President — roles that helped shape the club’s development and supported generations of athletes.

Joe joined Suffolk AA in 1972, beginning over 50 years of service to the county. His contributions include 30 years as Honorary Secretary, multiple terms as Chairman, and long‑standing roles as Cross Country Secretary, Endurance Officials Secretary and Trophy Secretary. He has been central to delivering county championships and endurance events since the early 1970s, writing event manuals and processes that are still used today.

His impact extends across the region. Joe joined the Eastern AA in 1979 and has held key leadership roles ever since — including 25 years as Honorary Secretary, Vice Chairman, Chairman, and now President. He has been a driving force behind Eastern cross country and track & field events for more than three decades.

Nationally, Joe has served on the UK Counties Athletics Union Management Council since 1996, including terms as Vice Chairman and Chairman, and continues as Cross Country Secretary. He has also contributed to UKA through the Eastern Road Licence Panel, the Advisory Group, and the Education of Endurance Officials Group.

Joe’s involvement with the English Cross Country Association began in 1980, later becoming President in 2003 and serving as Championship Secretary from 2007 to 2025. He has also played major roles within the SEAA, including Cross Country Permit Secretary, Working Group member, Chairman and Budget Manager.

Alongside his administrative leadership, Joe is a highly experienced official. He has worked as a Starter, Starter’s Assistant, Endurance Official and Tutor since the 1970s, and has officiated at major national and international events — including the European and World Cross Country Championships, World Half Marathons and World Marathons.
A particular highlight of his officiating career was the privilege of supporting the London 2012 Olympic Games — an experience he describes as unforgettable and a memory he will always treasure.

After serving as Chairman of the Eastern AA from 2020 to 2025, Joe now steps into the role of President — continuing to guide the Association with the same dedication, leadership and deep knowledge that have defined his remarkable career.

Clive Poyner – Chair

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Clive brings decades of experience to the Eastern region, currently serving as Chair of Athletics Norfolk, Norfolk Sportshall and the Eastern Young Athletes League. He is a Level 2 Performance Coach in jumps and throws, a Level 2 timekeeper and track judge, and a Level 1 starter. Previously, he spent six years as Chair of City of Norwich AC and eight years on the East Region Council, including two years as Chair.

His commitment to athletics began in the 1970s as an athlete with Halesowen ACC and later Bromsgrove & Redditch AC, where he remains part of their record‑holding 4×400m squad. After relocating to Norwich in 1997, he helped establish Reepham Runners and completed multiple Great North Runs before focusing his energy on volunteering, particularly with City of Norwich AC.

Alongside his sporting contributions, Clive built a distinguished career in manufacturing engineering, with 25 years of Board‑level experience, including 11 years as Managing Director. His work included establishing a factory in China and delivering engineering projects for organisations such as Disney, Cirque du Soleil, Crossrail, Rolls‑Royce and Take That.

Now retired and dedicating even more time to the sport he loves, Clive is guided by a set of clear principles: no surprises, process, find a way, empathy, inclusivity, quality and safety.

Tony Cheatham – Treasurer

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Elaine Forrest – Officials Secretary

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Denise – Korkmaz – Track & Field Secretary

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Trevor Bunch – Cross Country & Road Secretary

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Trevor is the Eastern Athletics Association Cross Country and Road Secretary. He is also an Event Adjudicator and a Level 3 Endurance Official.

His background in athletics spans more than a decade of committee and leadership roles. At Haverhill Running Club, he served as Chair, Race Director and Event Group Endurance Coach, helping to strengthen the club’s development and competitive pathway. From 2013 to 2017 he chaired the Greater Cambridge Athletics Network, and from 2021 to 2025 he contributed to the wider sport as a member of the East Regional Council.

Beyond athletics, Trevor works in Clinical Research Operations, most recently at the University of Cambridge. He brings a strong track record in building effective partnerships, applying pragmatic and innovative problem‑solving, and driving change and continuous improvement. He believes in natural evolution — that when the environment around you changes, you must adapt and grow with it.

Elaine Larkins – Minutes Secretary

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Margie Penn – Web and Social Media Creator

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Margie manages the Eastern Athletic Association’s website and social media platforms, helping to share news, promote events and celebrate achievements across the athletics community. Holding a degree in Business Information Technology, she previously founded and ran her own web design company before taking time away from the industry to focus on raising her family.

Athletics has been part of Margie’s life for many years through her father, Joe Mower. As a teenager, she occasionally helped behind the scenes at competitions, assisting with event preparations and administration, giving her an early appreciation of the volunteers whose dedication helps make the sport possible.

Drawing on both her lifelong connection to athletics and her professional background in web design, Margie combines her passion for technology, creativity and communication to support athletics across the East. Working closely with volunteers and committee members, she enjoys transforming information into engaging digital content that helps keep athletes, coaches, officials, clubs and volunteers informed, connected and inspired. Through the Association’s website and social media channels, she values the opportunity to showcase the people, programmes and opportunities that help athletics across the East thrive.