For some parents and those who are new to Little Athletics, becoming familiar with how the Centre works can be a very involved process. It is important to realise that the Centre cannot operate without the support of, and work that is done by, our helpers and officials at various levels of the Little Athletics organisation. The Caulfield Little Athletics Centre requires approximately 60 helpers at any one time to be able to conduct all the events successfully each week.
The Centre does not expect any person to be an expert or to have any previous experience. However, it is expected that people will help out when required, so that the many tasks to be done each week are done by many, not just a few.
Each club MUST supply a representative number of officials at ALL Region and State Championship events. Region and State officials will be drawn from the pool of parents with children who have been selected to compete at the relevant Championship.
The Centre will provide assistance to all officials and parents who are willing to help the Athletes complete their events. So please join in the Centre’s activities with your children by offering to help each week. At each field event there is a folder that will assist all officials to conduct the event. If you read through the instructions it will help you to see the job is not as hard as you think.
HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED:
Helping at a field event, timekeeping, marshalling, recording, writing tickets, Coaching, Centre newsletter, computer, BBQ, Duty Clubs, Committees, Championships, programs, Relays, Region, State, fun events to name some activities.
THE STARTER
Starting is a challenging job – but very absorbing and rewarding once mastered. The Starter is in total control of all aspects of the start of each event. A good starter needs to be alert at all times and never flustered. The challenge is to ensure that all competitors on the starting line get a fair and equal start.
STARTER’S MARSHALL
Places children in each event and decides the number of heats according to performance grading sheets.
TIMEKEEPERS
Measure the time from the start of a race until a particular competitor crosses the finish line. Timekeepers are armed with a stopwatch (or a press button for electronic timer) and need to be in line with the finish with a clear view of the starter.
The start time is the first sign of smoke from the starter’s gun (the sound of the gun takes time to reach the finish line). The finish time is when the competitor’s torso, (i.e. not the head, neck, arms or legs) crosses the line.
PLACE JUDGE
Determines the order in which competitors pass the finish line. Placings are determined by the runner’s torso (i.e. not the head, neck, arms or legs) crossing the line. Each judge places first, second etc in order of crossing the line). In weekly Centre programs, judging is often combined with timekeeping.
WALK JUDGE
To ensure that all rules of walking are adhered to. A Chief Judge is always present to co-ordinate and assist with the judging.
LONG JUMP
Tasks include watching for foul jumps, measuring jumps, recording measurements and marshalling children.
DISCUS
Tasks include watching for foul throws, recording measurements, pulling the tape through the centre of circle, finding and marking the point of impact and returning the Discus to the ring.
SHOT PUT
Tasks include watching for a foul Put. Recording measurements, pulling the tape through the centre of circle, finding and marking the point of impact and returning the Shot Put to the ring.
JAVELIN – Javelin starts at 8:05am
Tasks include watching for foul throws, pulling the tape from the throwing area through the sector after finding and marking the point of impact, recording measurements and returning the Javelin to the throwing area.
HIGH JUMP
Tasks include replacing high jump bar, marshalling children, shifting and measuring height of bar.
TRIPLE JUMP
Tasks include watching for foul jumps, measuring jumps, recording measurements, marshalling children and positioning mat.
RECORDER
The Recorder records the performances of the athletes from the Recording Sheet and enters them into the computer.
FINISH MARSHALL
The Finish Marshall assists the Timekeepers to keep the children in order when they finish their track events. The children are then taken to the Ticket Writer to receive their tickets.