Southern Athletic Club has to to provide a number of officials and helpers at every Athletics SA competition to ensure that they run smoothly and on time for our athletes. The number required is based on the club’s registered number of athletes from the previous season, so for every ASA competition during the 2013-14 season Southern AC needs to provide 2 volunteers.
It takes more than 70 officials and helpers to run a track and field meet at Santos Stadium spread across track events, jumps, throws, administration, technical duties and the photo finish. Qualified officials will be present at every event supported by helpers, so anyone is able to volunteer.
At the Athletics SA Twilight Distance Series meets on a Thursday evening, Southern AC is required to provide an official or helper whenever we have any athletes competing.
We hope that parents, family and friends of athletes will volunteer to help out at a couple of competitions over the course of the season to spread the workload fairly. Remember that junior athletes in the SA Developing Athlete Squads have committed to doing at least 4 hours of officiating through the season.
A few points from Athletics SA regarding our obligations for volunteering:
- All Officials and helpers will be required to sign in before the start of each meet in the Athletics SA Board Room.
- The assistance is required for the whole competition (i.e. 1 spot can be shared between people but will be counted as only 1 position).
- The assistance for each meet starts at minimum 30 minutes before the scheduled event start time to enable set up of events, coordination of duties, athlete warm up, etc.
- Assistance can only be recognised if the official/helper signs in before the start of competition.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a graded official can have a chat with Jason or speak with Kate Semiz (Athletics SA’s Coaching & Officiating Coordinator). A number of courses will be held before Christmas and becoming a regular official or a helper has its own rewards 🙂
Volunteering is a crucial part of Athletics in South Australia and Southern AC appreciates the efforts of all its athletes, family members and friends who put their hands up and help out with the running of our competitions.
Thank you.