At Wallsend RSL Little Athletics Club, all parents are required throughout the season to be in charge of the clipboard and lead the group around the events. The role of a group manager is very important as you are responsible for caring for and nurturing our young athletes. Your role is to provide a supportive environment in which athletes can learn and develop. You have the ability to ensure that this experience is a fun one (for both athletes and parents) so they come back again in future seasons.

Tips for Supervision - The younger groups need constant supervision and will follow you around the park.

• Ensure children are always within sight and/or hearing – if this is too difficult, ask for help from the other parents.
   
• The children should not leave the group without letting you know.  Use a buddy system if the children need to go somewhere, eg toilets.
   
• Compliment good behaviour eg paying attention, organising quickly, helping other children, good sportsmanship.
   
• In the case of misbehaviour, a clear, calm, firm verbal reprimand is usually enough; not harsh or a put down. Get the child’s parents to help if it continues, or speak to an official.
   

Speeding up events- In large groups, some events can drag on too long. On bad days, suggestions to speed things up are:

Throws - Allow 3 consecutive throws instead of 3 rounds; have two implements so the next athlete is ready, waiting, holding the implement in their hand; in very large groups, stop after 2 throws instead of 3.

High Jump - Start athletes at 15cm below their personal best (eg if PB is 115cm, start at 100cm).

Long Jump/ Triple Jump - Have athletes lined up in order as on the name list, ready to start; in a large group, limit the jumps to 2 instead of 3.

Learning the Skills of each event- Encourage attendance at training on Thursdays. Limit the amount of instruction during competition time (except in the first few weeks for new athletes or new events- ask officials for help if needed.)

• A flexi-bar (elastic band) is used a training to encourage confidence in high jumping.
• Practising using starting blocks at training makes it much easier and faster to do it in races.
• To increase confidence in hurdling, try slowly increasing heights and practising the correct technique at training.

All TRACK RECORDS must be claimed at end of a race on the night of performance and must be checked by Chief Timekeeper & SIGNED OFF

All FIELD RECORDS must be claimed at the time of the event on the night of the performance and must be checked by a Club Official & SIGNED OFF.