Many thanks to everyone who has helped at our track and field meetings this summer – we have hosted several league meetings and are now approaching two of our big open track meetings:- our high quality BMC meeting on Wed 20th August and the Stan Allen Miles meeting on Wed 3rd September
Whenever we take part in a competition we need athletes to compete and officials to help put on & run the meetings.
We need track judges who decide & record the order of finishing, timekeepers who take the times of the finishers and field judges who judge the field events such as shot put, javelin, discus and high jump. This can involve knowing the rules of the competition (not immediately essential to know everything) and leading the events or simply putting a bar up, raking a sandpit or holding a measuring tape.
Everyone’s contribution is greatly valued and there is a very friendly atmosphere amongst the officials who are keen to support and help newcomers. Furthermore if you have ambitions you can progress to officiating at County / Area or even international meetings.
We have had an increasing number of officials in recent years and are one of the best equipped of local clubs but we always need more especially as we are coming towards the holiday period.
We welcome any parents, supporters, family members of friends (or even injured athletes) to come along and help at future meetings. In most leagues the club receives points for providing the correct number of qualified officials or helpers and this can often change the clubs final finishing positions.
A lot of people ask why we don t have open meetings as we used to have prior to covid and one of the main reasons is the struggle to get officials or volunteers to help at meetings. If we had a squad of 20-30 officials / volunteers we could call on we would be in a much better position to host meetings at Tooting.
Training can be provided but the best way is to learn at the time and gain experience – our next meetings are the above track only meetings and we still have the SLAN suprt 8 meeting on Sunday morning 14th September which is an ideal low key competition to come to and see how you like it. There are opportunities to track judge/timekeep and field judge as well as help generally.
Please email info@hernehillharriers.org and ask for Steve Bosley if you would like to be involved so we can increase our number of officials. England Athletics Level 1 courses run on line and then you can do a certain number of meetings to pass your grade and then develop to level 2 if you wish.
Many thanks in advance
Steve Bosley 07721 555688