Age Group Leader 25/26 season EOI

Full Name*

First NameLast Name

E-mail*

example@example.com

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number*

Do you have a WWCC. If so what is the number and expiry date.*

What Gender do you want to be Age Group Leader for the 25/26 season*

BoysGirls

What Age Group do you want to lead for 25/26 season*

Berwick Little Athletics Centre

Age Group Leader role description

This document outlines the role of a Berwick Little Athletics Centre (BLAC) Age Group Leader and provides guidelines and expectations as agreed upon by the BLAC committee.

The Age Group Leader plays a vital role in helping the weekly programs run smoothly. Most importantly though, an athlete’s enjoyment of Little Athletics will depend on their experience, and as an Age Group Leader you have a great opportunity to positively contribute to this.

Each gender of every age group will have an Age Group Leader. Age Group Leaders are ‘permanent’ parent roles, meaning the same person fills the role each week for the duration of the summer season. An Age Group Leader may have an assistant who can fulfil the role due to being unavailable.

As of the 2025/2026 Little Athletics Track & Field summer season, all Age Group Leaders (and designated assistants) will be required to provide details of their Working with Children Check (WWCC). This ensures that BLAC is providing a safe environment for all children in attendance. A volunteer WWCC is free. Information about the process of applying for a WWCC can be found here - Working with Children Check | vic.gov.au

In addition to this, it will be compulsory for all Age Group Leaders (and designated assistants) to complete the Sport Integrity Australia “Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction” online training - https://elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au/ Information on how to access this online training is provided in the BLAC document “Child Safety Requirements”.

The basics for being a good Age Group Leader:

• Make it fun! Get to know the athletes in your group – this will keep them engaged and motivated and wanting to come back each week.
• Focus on athlete effort and individual performances rather than the overall outcome of the event. In Little Athletics, a Personal Best (PB) is more celebrated than first place!
• Encourage all athletes equally. Give all athletes equal time and attention, and praise all achievements.
• Try to develop a sense of “team” in your group where athletes support each other.
• Treat all athletes and other volunteers and members of BLAC with respect regardless of ability, race, culture, religion, disability, neurodiversity, or other differences. Positive role modelling of this creates a safe and inclusive environment not only for the athletes but for the wider club too.
• Negativity, such as the use of unacceptable language or verbal abuse, towards athletes, other volunteers, or anyone at BLAC during a centre program or event will not be tolerated and may be in breach of the BLAC Child Safe Code of Conduct. The BLAC President, in consultation with the executive committee, Child Safe Officer, and/or other members of the committee, has the discretion to discuss relevant implications should this occur.

The following is provided as an overview and guide for Age Group Leaders during the BLAC weekly centre program:

• It is intended that the BLAC Competition Manager will communicate the first event that each age group will participate in prior to the start of each program. Please however be patient if this has not occurred!
• Meet and organise the parent helpers – they may be unfamiliar with how the program runs, so assigning tasks during each event might be helpful.
• Lead the age group to each event.
• Ensure all aspects of athlete safety, for example, maintaining safe distances between athletes at field events, or consulting with the First Aid officer when necessary.
• If needed, provide brief demonstration or instruction of the event to the group. Due to time constraints, individual coaching is not practical and will delay the finish time of the program.
• Record the field events results of each athlete on the sheets provided in the age group folders. Please ensure this sheet is handed to the Results team at the conclusion of each event.
• Advise an Official (typically the Competition Manager) if an athlete might possibly set a Centre Record in a field event so that an Official can be present.
• In the case of athlete misbehaviour, an appropriate verbal reprimand may be all that is needed. Be clear, calm, and firm, not harsh or derogatory. If the behaviour continues, advise a committee member (typically the Competition Manager or President) to assist in seeking the parent.
• Respect and support other Age Group Leaders and volunteers assisting with the centre program. On the occasion there may be disagreement, remember that there will be children close by who will see or hear both verbal and non-verbal behaviours.

Adhering to the above ensures that everyone involved at BLAC can provide a safe and inclusive environment for all children and young people to participate in a fun and enjoyable weekly Little Athletics competition.

I have read and agree to the age group leader role description.

Yes