{"id":3061,"date":"2022-01-24T19:48:40","date_gmt":"2022-01-24T08:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stgeorgelac.org.au\/?page_id=3061"},"modified":"2026-09-02T12:24:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T02:24:23","slug":"age-managers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/centrewebsiteadmin.resultshq.com.au\/stge\/age-managers\/","title":{"rendered":"Age Managers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Age Managers<\/span><\/h1>\n

Age Managers are\u00a0relatively ‘permanent’ parent roles <\/em>(meaning the same persons fill these roles each week)\u00a0– responsible for leading a group of athletes through their events<\/strong>.\u00a0 \u00a0Each season, we call for nominations from parents to take up Age Manager positions.<\/p>\n

Age Managers will be required to hold a WWC Number<\/strong>.\u00a0 Age Managers are also required to complete training<\/strong> as detailed below.\u00a0 Please note that we aim to finalise Age Manager appointments by 14 September 2026<\/strong>.\u00a0 \u00a0If you are potentially<\/span> interested to take up an Age Manager role, please ensure you attend the 2 on-site training sessions at Olds Park detailed below.<\/em><\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>:\u00a0 In 2026-27, we will adopt a model for parent helping where more parents will accompany each age group.\u00a0 Consequently, we may not<\/strong> appoint ‘Deputy Age Managers’.<\/em><\/p>\n

Key Roles of Age Managers<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
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  1. Collect the Age Group folder (containing the evening’s program & field event recording sheets)<\/li>\n
  2. Take attendance (“sign-in”) as the children arrive\/ meet parents.<\/li>\n
  3. Confirm each athlete signed in is wearing the STGLAC uniform.<\/li>\n
  4. Lead the Age Group from one Event to the next<\/li>\n
  5. If needed, provide 1 very brief<\/em> instruction or demonstration of the event to the group.\u00a0 Please note that the giving of individual coaching is not<\/strong> appropriate or practical during Friday meets given time constraints.<\/li>\n
  6. Call the ‘next’ Athlete who is to perform<\/li>\n
  7. Judge the ‘legality’ of each throw & jump and call fouls as appropriate (unless we have assigned an official – in which case our official only<\/strong> shall judge fouls.)<\/li>\n
  8. Read & Record the result at Field Events<\/li>\n
  9. Advise an Official or alert the Officer for Officials where an athlete is on the verge of setting a Ground Record in a Field Event, so that an Official can be present.\u00a0 [An Official<\/strong> must be present if a throw or jump is to be recognised as a Ground Record<\/strong>, and the athlete must be in full\/correct uniform.]<\/li>\n
  10. Assist at track events as required (eg. working with the Track Marshall or Starter to place younger children onto the start line for each race, etc.)<\/li>\n
  11. Return Age Group folder with filled-in results sheets at the conclusion of the group’s events for the evening.<\/li>\n
  12. Collaborate with your Deputy Age Manager (if any) so that they become capable to act in the Age Manager role.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Age Manager has one of the most important roles in Little Athletics.\u00a0 An athlete’s enjoyment of the sport will depend on their experience at the local Centre, and as an Age Manager you have a great opportunity to contribute positively to every athlete’s experience.<\/em><\/p>\n

    The Basics for Being a Good Age Manager<\/span><\/h4>\n
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    1. Make it Fun<\/strong>!\u00a0 This is our most important advice.<\/li>\n
    2. Arrive early at least 15mins prior to your group’s start time.\u00a0 \u00a0Be organised.\u00a0 Be familiar with the program and where you need to go.\u00a0 Keep the athletes engaged.<\/li>\n
    3. Focus on athlete effort and individual performances rather than the overall outcome of the event.\u00a0 In Little Athletics, a personal best<\/strong> is more celebrated than first place<\/em>.<\/li>\n
    4. Encourage<\/strong> all athletes equally.\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0Your own child should be treated as just one of the group<\/em>.<\/strong>\u00a0 Give all athletes equal time and attention.\u00a0 Praise all achievements.<\/em><\/li>\n
    5. Try to develop a sense of “team<\/strong>” in your group where athletes support each other.<\/li>\n
    6. Know the rules<\/strong> for your Age Group’s Events<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(see the video training course below, & the video resources & Event Fact Sheets here:\u00a0\u00a0Parent Helper Resources<\/a><\/span>\u00a0)<\/li>\n
    7. Be fair, considerate, honest and a positive role model.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Tips for Effective Supervision<\/span><\/h4>\n
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      1. Learn the names of the children in the group.<\/li>\n
      2. Keep all children within sight\/hearing.<\/li>\n
      3. Organise your parent assistants.\u00a0 Larger & younger groups will have 1 or 2 parent assistants (via Signup) – they are there to help, not just tag along.<\/li>\n
      4. Don’t leave the group unattended, nor allow an athlete to wander off without speaking with you first.<\/li>\n
      5. Younger children should not be leaving the group alone.\u00a0 Consider assigning a buddy, your Deputy or a parent helper to accompany the child (eg. for a toilet visit).<\/li>\n
      6. Move about with ‘purpose’.\u00a0 Be mobile, visible and involved.<\/li>\n
      7. Acknowledge good behaviour (individual or group) with positive messages.<\/li>\n
      8. In the case of misbehaviour, an effective verbal reprimand showing a ‘no nonsense’ approach may be all that is needed.\u00a0 Be clear, calm, firm, not harsh or a put down.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Finally – please note that the Age Manager(s) & (a subset of) their helpers (as required) are the only parents who move around with the athlete Age Group<\/em>.\u00a0 \u00a0Other parents will be performing other duties or spectating at an appropriate distance<\/em> if not performing a duty that week.\u00a0 \u00a0 T<\/strong>he only persons permitted on the main oval (inside the picket fence) during competition are Club Officials, Age Managers & Parent Helpers carrying out a duty on the Track.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

        Training<\/span><\/h3>\n

        Each Age Manager is expected to complete the following training, preferably\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>prior to the first meet of the season, or as soon as possible.<\/em><\/p>\n

        Age Managers need basic knowledge of the rules<\/strong> governing each Event applicable to their Age Group:<\/p>\n