Saturday meets run with the parents and volunteer committee members taking organisational roles, running the computers, registering athletes and announcing. Age groups are run by parents on the field, making the morning fantastic for their kids and each other.
Age Manager and Assistant Age Manager
Each age group needs to have an Age Manager and Assistant to run effectively. We run an informal ‘training’ session during the Come and Try day to bring everyone up to speed with the roles and responsibilities of the position as well as update the ‘old hands’ on any changes from last season.
You can also find information at Age Manager resources
An Age Manager manual is available at Age Manager manual
To view the ‘on demand’ videos for each event, go to Age Manager online training videos
Age Managers and Assistants play a very important role in Little Athletics. These are essential every week and it is ideal (but not essential) if the same persons fill these roles each week. They are responsible for accompanying the athletes through their events.
The key roles of Age Managers and Assistants include:
- Collect the Age Group folder which contains the field event recording.
- Lead the Age Group from one event to the next.
- Call the ‘next’ Athlete who is to perform the event.
- Read and record results achieved at field events (or ‘participation’ for Tiny Tots).
- Alert qualified officials where an athlete is on the verge of setting a Ground Record in a field event, so that an official can be present. It is essental that an official is present if a throw or jump is to be recognised as a Ground Record.
- Place younger children onto the start line for each race, start races, run the laptop for long distance events, hand out place tags at the end of long distance events.
- Return results sheets to the Recorder at the conclusion of the group’s events.
An athlete’s enjoyment of the sport will depend on their experience at the local centre, and as an Age Manager or Assistant you have a great opportunity to contribute positively to every athlete’s experience.
The basics for being a good Age Manager and Assistant
- Make it Fun! This is our most important advice.
- Arrive early (7:45am). Be organised. Be familiar with the program and where you need to go. Keep the athletes engaged.
- Focus on athlete effort and individual performances rather than the overall outcome of the event. In Little Athletics, a personal best is more important than first place.
- Give all athletes equal time and attention. Praise all achievements.
- Be fair, considerate, honest and a positive role model.
Tips for effective supervision
- Learn the names of the children in the group.
- Keep all children within sight/hearing. Larger groups will need more than one Assistant.
- Don’t leave the group unattended, nor allow an athlete to wander off without speaking with you first.
- Younger children should not be leaving the group alone. Consider assigning a buddy.
- Move about with ‘purpose’. Be mobile, visible and involved.
- Acknowledge good behaviour (individual or group) with positive messages.
- In the case of misbehaviour, an effective verbal reprimand showing a ‘no nonsense’ approach may be all that is needed. Be clear, calm, firm, not harsh or a put down.
Finally – please note that the Age Manager(s) and Assistants may be the only parents who are moving around with the Age Group. Other parents may be performing other duties, including helping with another of their children’s age group.
Main points to note for the 2023/2024 season
Results for track events go directly into ResultsHQ, while results for field events are recorded on the pre-printed recording sheets available in the age group folder. Age group folders can be collected in the morning from the poles, and returned to the recording tent at the end of the meet.
No age group will be able to begin a meet without someone stepping up to take responsibility for the group as Age Manager and Assistant. This does not have to been the same person each week – share the love! All Age Managers must wear a vest to indicate that each age group has a parent in charge.
Age Managers and all parent volunteers are an integral part of Little Athletics. Let’s work together to boost our club and help the kids bring out their best!
Age Folder Information Dated 20 October
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