Look after our athletes

  • Stay with your child. Little Athletics isn't a drop-off sport. If you can't be there, arrange another responsible adult to supervise your child.

  • Put safety first. Follow club guidelines, keep off the track and infield unless you're on duty, and help your child listen to officials and volunteers.

  • Respect photo choices. Athletes with a red sticker on their bib must not be photographed. Only share photos of other people's children with their family's permission.

Parent and Carer Charter

At Grovedale Little Athletics, we want every child to feel safe, welcome and encouraged, whatever their ability. Families make that happen. When you join the Grovedale, you agree to the following.

Cheer the right way

  • Celebrate effort. Praise progress, personal bests and having a go, not just placings.

  • Support every athlete. Cheer for all the kids, whichever club they're from.

  • Be respectful. Treat athletes, families, officials and volunteers with courtesy, and keep your language positive and appropriate.

  • Respect the officials. Volunteers run every event. If you have a concern about a result, see the Grovedale team manager rather than raising it at the event.

Pitch in

  • Do your duties. The club runs entirely on volunteers. Helping out is a condition of registration, and not doing your share may affect your child's eligibility to compete.

  • Sign in and let us know. Sign in for your rostered duty and tell the club early if you can't make it.

  • Hold a Working with Children Check.

Talk to us
If something isn't right, or you're finding it hard to fit in duties, please contact a committee member or email grovedalelittleaths@outlook.com. We're here to help.

By following this charter, you help make Grovedale a fun, safe and welcoming club for every child.

Volunteer Duties


  • It takes more than 100 volunteers every Saturday to run Little Athletics. Helping with high jump, timing races, handing out place cards, and setting up and packing away. Every Grovedale family is rostered on, and that's what keeps the club running and the costs down. It's also one of the few sports where you get to be right there alongside your kids. With the number of roles and families, expect to be rostered on once every 3 weeks.

  • You don't need to be an expert. Just ask a Grovedale committee member or another parent or check the guides below. Everyone was new once!

  • High Jump (4 people)

    • High Jump Chief (1): runs the high jump for our age group. Sets and checks the bar height, calls each athlete, judges each attempt and makes sure results are recorded correctly.

    • High Jump Helpers (2): reset the bar after knockdowns, keep the mats and landing area safe, and help athletes line up in order.

    • Results Entry (1): enters the high jump results for the day into the online results log. There are usually two groups, and it takes about 10 minutes.

    Guides: Volunteer guide to high jump · High jump officiating resources

    Timekeeping (3 people)

    • Chief Timer (1): leads the Grovedale timing team at the finish line. Starts the watch on the starter's signal, times the allocated athlete and makes sure times are recorded accurately.

    • Back-up Timers (2): time the same athletes as the Chief Timer, so there's always a second time if a watch is missed.

    Guide: Volunteer guide to timekeeping

    Marshalling and age group helpers (3 people)

    • Circular Marshal (1): Calls the roll before circular events (such as the 800m and walks) and gets them to the start line.

    • Under 8 Girls Helper (1): stays with the U8 girls all morning, helps run activities, and makes sure every child is collected by a parent.

    • On Track Helper (1): supervises the On Track group for the two-hour program and helps run the activities.

    Set up and pack up (everyone)

    • Set up: arrive 30 minutes before the start to help set up equipment.

    • Pack up: stay to help pack everything away at the end of competition.

Codes of Conduct and Rules

Codes of conduct
Grovedale Little Athletics Club follows the policies and codes of conduct set by Little Athletics Victoria (LAVic), as does the Geelong Little Athletics Centre (GLAC). They apply to everyone at the club: athletes, parents, carers, coaches, officials and volunteers.

Training at John Landy Field
Everyone at the John Landy Field reserve needs to take care, as conditions there can cause injury to people or damage to property. Please read and follow the GLAC training code of conduct before training at the field.

Competition rules
Little Athletics competitions in Victoria follow the Little Athletics Australia competition rules. These are based on World Athletics rules, adapted to suit the ages and abilities of our athletes. LAVic adds its own competition regulations on top.

Questions or concerns
If you have a question about the rules, or a concern about behaviour at the club, please speak to a committee member or email grovedalelittleaths@outlook.com.