THE GAP Little Athletics How you can help?
WHO RUNS THE EVENTS?
The simple answer is that you, the parents, run the events.
Little Athletics relies heavily on active parent participation. Parents/ Guardians are an important part of our centre. Without you, we cannot successfully run the events. In excess of 40 parents are required at each meeting to successfully run the 5 – 6 event programs. We ask you to attend as regularly as possible.
We understand that Friday nights is a time to kick back and relax, but this is about quality time, being active and involved with your children. We polled parents and Friday nights was deemed as the preferred time for us to conduct meets.
All too often the bulk of the work falls to a group of dedicated regulars – these are the ones who have already discovered the enjoyment of participating with their children in a family environment activity – so please
“Make a commitment to the Centre. Come along on a regular basis and help out. Discover the benefits of participating – your sons and daughters will appreciate your interest.”
It is important that you show support to your son or daughter by taking them to the Regional or state events. We need assistance to run events at these events.
The only qualification you require to become a valued Centre member is enthusiasm and an ability to cheerfully encourage the children, regardless of their ability, as they learn the basic skills of athletics.
Setting Up and Tidying Up Equipment
Before starting each evening and during warm-up, all the equipment needs to be set up. Assistance is needed with erecting the discus net, setting up the hurdles when in use, setting up the high jump and taking the trolleys to each event station. This will ensure the events start on time.
At the end of the night, all equipment must be returned to the clubhouse for storage. If you are the last group at a station, it is requested you return all equipment to the Clubhouse. All other assistance to dismantle and store equipment is appreciated. This year a roster system will be introduced and information will be available at the first meet/ orientation night.
Warm Up
To prevent injuries to the athletes, the evening starts with a supervised warm up session. This consists of a lap around the oval followed by stretching exercises.
Running the Events
Your browser may not support display of this image. The evenings can only run smoothly when there are lots of helpers. The children are often proud to have their parents/ guardian involved with the events. The committee members and coaches are only too happy to assist if you are unsure of your requirements.
Parents /Guardians are required to help out with the following jobs to help the evening to run more smoothly:
Age Marshal and Manager
The Manager and Age Marshal work together to ensure that the athletes are properly supervised during the full 5 event programme. Their responsibilities ensure that the athletes perform all their events safely, using correct technique, all events are properly recorded and encourage participation in regional events. The actual responsibilities can be interchangeable, but a general guide is indicated below.
Age Marshal
* Supervise the group of athletes during the whole of the 5 event athletic programme. Assist with the group’s warm up (within your level of knowledge)
* Encourage the group to play games between events.
* Offer coaching tips (within your level of knowledge) to the athletes.
* In combination with the Manager, ensure athletes attend each event programmed at the time shown.
* Assist as Start Marshal, placing athletes in heats, etc when working at track events.
* Encourage athletes to compete in Regional Games, pentathlons and carnivals; form teams for the Regional Relay event.
Manager
* Collect the respective age group folder at the start of competition. This folder will contain all the field event sheets required for the competition.
* Meet with your respective group, which remains assembled after warming up and mark off the athletes’ names. Add any new member’s names to the event sheet and proceed to the first event.
* Keep the group together for the entire programme; allow time for the athletes to visit toilets, obtain a drink, etc
* Distribute all certificates, tickets, newsletters etc. and then return the age group folder to the front desk when events are finished for the night’s competition.
* Organise helpers for required tasks at each event.
The order of events must not be altered unless advised to do so by the Arena Manager.
Timekeepers:
Official timekeepers are required before any track event will start. Ideally the timekeeper will be posted at the track for the entire evening. A minimum of two timekeepers are required for our programme.
Place Judges:
Place judges are required to place the athletes in correct order on completion of track events. Ideally the place judges will be posted at the track for the entire evening. A minimum of SIX (6) Place Judges are required each evening.
Retriever:
Retrieves thrown implements and helps identify location for measurement.
Spotter:
Identify where thrown implements land and mark for measurement.
Event Officials
At least one person is required at each field event to supervise and help with the measurement of throws, jumps, raking sand etc. Officials are encouraged to complete a level D Officials Course.