As the days get longer and the snow clears (for now) our thoughts turn to competitions. Therefore, this seems a great time to appeal for volunteers to step forward and help us as officials. We really need more help, just a few people currently do the lion’s share of the work. If we want to continue to grow as a club and become more successful, we absolutely need more people and we could really do with starting that process this season.
Don’t be daunted, there are all sorts of options available and you can largely control the pace of your development journey. Starting out at an entry level you can just keep working with us at our fixtures. If you really get the bug there is a well-defined and well-supported progression path that can take you all the way to international level. In between there is a range of options and specialisations and you get the see the action (and some future stars) up close and from a whole new angle.
Getting Started
We’d really like to get some of you onto Level 1 of the journey asap – which means you must:
- – Be 16 or over
- – Attend a level 1 training course
- Typically about ½ a day varying slightly according to your area of interest
- – Gain and record experience at 4 meetings
- – Attend a health and safety course
- – Get a DBS / police record check
All fees involved will be covered by the club.
There is a small range of Level 1 courses you can choose from according to your interest: e.g. track, field, starter, timekeeping, and starter/marksman.
What are the levels?
If you decide you want to progress the pathway is summarised in the diagram below:
How can I find out more?
In many different ways. Obviously, our existing officials and experienced club members can advise. England Athletics have launched a great initiative where you can spend a day shadowing an official at a high-level tournament (typically u17 – u23 at national level). This will give you and amazing insight, but don’t delay applying if you want to try this – more information here.
Don’t feel you have to do that first, we could offer you a similar opportunity at one of our matches. But, in reality, why not just give it a go, gaining that experience will just be part of your development.
You can read a bit more by clicking on these links, below:
Please don’t hesitate, we need your help now. Please contact Peter Stansbury (click here to email Peter) for more info or to sign yourself up.
Also don’t forget our club AGM on Tuesday 26th February at The Holiday Inn, HP2 4AU, 7.30pm (NO TRAINING) – come along as this will set the context for why we are asking and what our plans are.
