HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Vale of Aylesbury Athletic Club (VoAAC) is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom are current or past athletes and their parents. Here are some ways that you could get involved!
Hosting Events
Each year we host track and field league matches as well as our two 5k road races. Some roles require training (e.g. officials), others can be done by anyone e.g. marshals, scoring, registration, assisting and catering.
Team Managers
When VoAAC athletes compete for the club in league events, our Team Managers are responsible for picking the team, registering athletes and supporting the team during the event. All our Team Managers undertake a DBS check.
Committee Members
The VoAAC Committee ensure that the club runs smoothly. Some members have general roles, others have specific duties, e.g. Chair, Secretary, Membership Secretary, Officials Co-ordinator etc.
Parent Enquiry Team
Currently we rely on volunteers from the committee or coaching team to be around for this, but we would like to set up a Parent Enquiry Team, available during training sessions, to help with issues relating to kit, membership and any other questions parents and athletes may have.
Officials
No athletics event could take place without officials! They judge, record and reset equipment on the track and field. They may also be starters or run photo finish equipment. Our Officials are trained by England Athletics (all our Officials undertake a DBS check as part of their licence) but there are also opportunities for untrained people to help, e.g. helping position the tape! Everyone who officiates scores points for the club too!
Coaching & Coaching Assistants
Our Coaches and Coaching Assistants are the main point of connection for our athletes, many working with the same athletes over several years, helping them develop skills and abilities. Coaches undertake coaching qualifications from England Athletics (all our Coaching team undertake a DBS check as part of their licence). We only use licenced Coaches. There are also opportunities to support our coaches, particularly with our younger athletes by becoming a Parent Helper.
Adhoc roles
Sometimes there are other opportunities to help the club, e.g. helping with maintenance and tidying of our equipment, helping with admin or organising social events. You may have a skill that we don’t yet know we could benefit from!
WE CURRENTLY HAVE THE FOLLOWING COACHING OPPORTUNITIES
Kestrels Coach
We are facing the very real possibility of having to close some Kestrels groups next year unless we can recruit and train new coaches for our incredibly popular Kestrels sessions. This coaching role will be working with our youngest athletes aged 8-11years. Working with this age group can be great fun and very rewarding. Kestrels’ sessions give athletes their first taste of athletics, with coaches teaching the basics of movement including run, jump, throw techniques in a fun and lively environment, whilst creating a real rapport with some of our most enthusiastic young athletes. You will be required to coach for one hour per week, on either a Tuesday or Thursday evening, plus a small amount of set up/break down time. No experience is necessary, you will be offered full training via an England Athletics Coaching Assistant qualification plus the support of our existing Kestrels coaches. A DBS will be required. Kit provided.
Coaching Assistant (Event Groups)
Working alongside our existing Event Group coaches, this Coaching Assistant role will include supporting coaches and helping to run sessions for athletes 14/15+ yrs who are training in event specific groups i.e. Sprints, Jumps, Throws. Ideal for interested parents or senior/retired athletes with some experience of an event, who would like to give back to the sport. Or for an athlete 16+ yrs within a group who would like to start on their coaching journey. You will be required to coach for one hour, on either a Tuesday or Thursday (or both depending on your availability), plus a small amount of setup/break down time. No experience is necessary, you will be offered full training via an England Athletics Coaching Assistant qualification plus the support of our existing coaches. A DBS will be required. Kit provided.
Seniors Group Multi-Event Coach
We are looking for one or more volunteers to coach a 1hr/1.30hr session on Monday evenings. We have the track space and enough enquiries to be able to run a social ‘adult only’ multi-event group. For senior athletes wanting the facilities to train for T&F (and the SAL team), returning athletes wanting to get back into the sport, or adults just interested in trying athletics. To run this session however, we need qualified coaches. Ideal for senior athletes who are happy to coach and train, or someone with previous coaching experience wanting to return etc. You will be offered full training via an England Athletics Coaching Assistant qualification plus the support of our existing coaches. With the possibility to progress to the full Athletic Coach qualification. A DBS will be required. Kit provided.
Coaching Assistant (Development Group)
Working alongside our existing Development Group coaches this Coaching Assistant role will include supporting coaches and helping to run training sessions for athletes 11+ years. You will be introducing athletes to the next stage of their run, jump, throw athletics journey, working with real equipment across different events each session. Encouraging participation in a fun and relaxed environment, nurturing young athletes and instilling and building confidence in their abilities. You will be required to coach for one hour per week, on either a Tuesday or Thursday evening (or both nights depending on your availability) plus a small amount of setup/break down time. Ideal for parents, especially if you are staying and watching/waiting each session, or for senior/previous athletes to give back to the sport. No experience is necessary, you will be offered full training via an England Athletics Coaching Assistant qualification plus the support of our existing Development coaches. A DBS will be required. Kit provided.
Event Group Coach
For those enjoying supporting event group coaches, there will be the possibility to progress to become a full athletic coach.
Junior Sprint Coach
We are looking for one or ideally more volunteers, preferably with athletic or coaching experience, to run a new Junior Sprint Group for athletes approximately 14yrs+, who are keen to start focussing on sprint training. Teaching sprint basics and encouraging the understanding of drills and good technique, in a fun and relaxed environment, to inspire athletes and build their confidence. Sessions will be for one hour, on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings (attendance could be flexible if more than one coach applies), plus a small amount of setup/break down time. You will be offered full training via an England Athletics Coaching Assistant qualification, plus the support of our existing coaches. With the possibility to progress to the full Athletic Coach qualification. A DBS will be required. Kit provided.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF COACHING
Technical Officials
All competitions require Officials to make them happen. Each year we need to provide a full team of Officials and a Match Official at every SAL and YDL league match our athletes attend. Otherwise, the team is deducted hard earned points, which we obviously try to avoid. This is the opportunity to join our enthusiastic Officials team to help expand our offering across all age group competitions. Ideal for existing senior athletes who compete at SAL and can offer to officiate between their events. Or for parents (of u13+ athletes) who are attending matches and staying all day to watch. Why not train up as an Official? Keep yourself occupied and help the team, whilst meeting new people. No experience is necessary, you will be offered full training via an England Athletics Officials qualification, plus the support of our existing Officials. A DBS will be required. Kit provided.
Child or Adult Welfare Officers
An important role within the club. We are always looking for more volunteers (particularly some Male volunteers please) to join our existing Welfare Team, ideally being on hand during training nights. Experience would be ideal, however full training will be provided via England Athletics Welfare qualifications. A DBS will be required.
ADHOC HELP
- Could you help getting the kit out, set up and/or packed away again, at a training session? Under coach supervision, but meaning coaches are free to start warmups and warm downs etc during the session.
- Are you staying during training and don’t want to do anything physical but would be happy to talk to parents and answer questions, or help with information? Why not offer to be a Parent Representative.
- Are you happy to be added to our bank of helpers for match hosting?
- Are you happy to be added to our bank of helpers for race marshalling?
Parent Helpers
If you are staying to watch training sessions, why not get involved in helping the coaching team as a Parent Helper? Primarily helping support coaches with our youngest athlete groups, this is an opportunity to pitch in however you feel comfortable, whenever you are available. No experience is necessary, you will be offered the opportunity to attend a England Athletics Leading Athletics online workshop, which will provide basic knowledge and give you the confidence to assist during a training session. Plus, you will have the support of our coaches. You can help at any of our sessions, for an hour, once or twice a week it’s up to you, or whenever you are available. We try to build a bank of helpers so that volunteers don’t feel they have to attend every session.
Team Managers/Team Support
Are you normally at a YDL match or competition, could you help manage the team? This role involves sitting with the team, ensuring athletes are supervised between events, know their schedule and get to their events on time. Allowing our coaches and officials to be elsewhere if needed? This would suit one or more responsible parents/adults accompanying the team at an event.
For any of the opportunities listed here, please complete the contact form, speak to one of our volunteers at the track, or a coach at the end of a session.
You may have a skill that we are not aware of. Come along and have a chat with one of our volunteers to see how you can get involved.