Volunteering

The Club relies on many fantastic volunteers to run successfully. There are lots of ways in which you can get involved with the Club. Have a look at some of the opportunities below and speak to a Committee member or Coach, or contact us online, if you would like to know more.

Junior Group Coaching Assistants
Helping to run junior athletics coaching sessions for athletes from 10 to 15 years of age. Sessions are on a Tuesday and Thursday between 18.45 and 20.00 at the University’s Graham Sports Centre, Maiden Castle, Durham. Helping in this capacity often starts with a volunteer observing sessions and helping with timing or setting out drills. There is a requirement to undertake an England Athletics Leader (one day) or Assistant Coach (two day) training course and get a Criminal Records Bureau check clearance. The Club will pay fees for leader and coach training courses.

Run Leaders – Senior Sessions
Leading a group of senior athletes on a road or multi-terrain run. Support will be provided by coaches in the club to decide on the content of sessions. Ideally each senior group will have two group leaders, one at the head of the group and one at the back. There is a “Leader in Running Fitness” qualification which can be gained by attending a one day training course. The Club will pay for members to attend this course. Details of forthcoming courses in the North East are on the England Athletics website at www.englandathletics.org.

Officiating at junior and senior competitions
Undertaking tasks to help officiate track or field events at junior or senior league matches. This often starts with a volunteer observing other officials and doing simple tasks such as raking a long jump pit or pulling a tape through to mark throws. Progression is to co-ordinate an event, adjudicate and complete record sheets. There is a requirement to undertake an England Athletics Level 1 Officiating course and get Criminal Records Bureau check clearance.

Time trials and handicap timekeeper
Timing competitors in the summer and winter handicap series of events for senior athletes, held within Club training sessions. Also, timing track athletes, counting laps or recording laps or times during time trials.

Assistance with planning and staging club events
Helping to gain permissions to stage an event, recruiting officials, design/print/distribution of event entry form, taking entries, confirming entries, setting up a course, staffing the registration desk, marshalling a course during a race, recording results, compiling final results and collapsing a course. You would be part of a team of volunteers that organises the club events.

Team management at Young Athletes League
Helping to select a team of young athletes, communicate with the athletes in advance of each match and manage the athletes on the day of the match. There is a requirement to get Criminal Records Bureau check clearance.

Event entries secretary
Receiving team event and Championship details from organisers, putting a team or athlete list on the Club noticeboard, collecting the completed list prior to the closing date for entries, submitting the Club entry to the event organiser.

 

Volunteer co-ordinator
Maintaining a list of all active volunteers within the Club and communicating with them via post, e-mail or telephone. Receiving details of new or prospective volunteers and matching them with opportunities vacant within the Club. Talking to prospective volunteers to understand their areas of interest. Pairing up new volunteers with existing volunteers as part of a “buddying” scheme.

Trophies/engraving and annual presentation evening
Keeping Club trophies when not with recipients. Gathering trophies prior to annual Presentation Evening. Organising engraving of trophies. Maintaining a list of award winners and trophies.  Helping to organise the annual Presentation Evening..

Noticeboard management and announcements
Managing content of the Club notice board. Ensuring that notices of forthcoming events are posted to the board and removing out of date content. One of a team who take responsibility for making announcements of key achievements of Club athletes at 18.45 on a Tuesday and Thursday. Coaches and members will supply details of achievements and results.

Equipment management
Maintaining an inventory of club equipment. Organising purchase of new equipment where need is identified by coaches or other members. Arranging for repair of damaged equipment where necessary.

Planning social events
Planning and organising club social events

Fund raising/grant applications
Identifying opportunities to apply for grant funding. Identifying suitable projects within the club e.g. purchase of new equipment for which grant funding could be requested. Making grant applications.

Risk assessor
Keeping up to date with current approved method for risk assessment within England Athletics. Attending risk assessment training course, for which fees will be paid by the Club. Maintaining and updating risk assessments for key club activities e.g. club events, field event training.