Get involved

Coaches, officials and volunteers

NCAN is run by its members. Every club night depends on parents, caregivers and volunteers lending an hour of their time – and most of it needs no experience at all.

Volunteer Coaching Officials

How you can help

Volunteering with the Club

The club is run by its members. Every training, club night, and competition depends on the athletes, parents, caregivers and volunteers stepping up to make it happen — and most of it needs no experience at all.

Who we need
Any parent or caregiver who is at the training or event anyway. Yes, you do have skills – we need you.
When
Training sessions and competition events throughout the year.
What it takes
No qualification and no preparation. Turn up, pick a station, and a coach will show you the rest.
If you are unsure
The coaches are there to help, so please ask if you don’t know.

Children’s section, 7–14 years

Parent help at training

We are mindful of how important it is that your child has quality time with our NCAN coaches, so we ask parents and caregivers to give their time to help. If you are there anyway, why not get involved?

Training times

Tuesday Athletics Training

  • Setting up the equipment

    Assist the set up of the athletic equipment at the various stations and offering to pack up at the end of the session.

  • Sprints

    Check in with the coach and help sort the athletes into their lanes, check body positions and start races.

  • Long jump

    Assist athletes in their run-up; prepare the pit, measure the jump and rake the pit.

  • High jump

    Check in with the coach and assist by adjusting the height of the bar.

  • Discus and shot put

    Check in with the coach and assist athletes with the technical aspects of these events, retrieve the items and measure distances.

  • Hurdles

    Put out hurdles in lanes. Check with a coach for the required spacing and heights. Pack hurdles away once finished.

  • Relays

    Arrange the athletes into teams. Mark the exchange zones. Demonstrate the handover phase.

  • Encouragement

    Offer positive feedback to the athletes. It counts for as much as anything else on this list.

Monday Run & Walks Training

  • Warm up & drills

    Jump in, join the fun. It's a great way to learn the movements and drills.

  • Intervals

    Ask the coach if they'd like help with timings.

  • Encouragement

    Offer positive feedback to the athletes. Nothing is more appreciated after a training session.

All sections of the club

Help at competitions

Competition only happens when there are enough officials to run it. Timekeeping, measuring, marshalling and recording are all roles a willing parent can learn on the day, alongside someone experienced. Many events have requirements for clubs to provide support in order for them to be run safely and successfully. If you are unsure, please ask the club for guidance.

Club calendar

Saturday Children's Interclub Athletics

  • Club responsibilities

    The team manager will provide details on the specific tasks required by our club and roster parents to ensure a fair division of duties ensuring all families get a chance to see their child compete.

  • Supporting relays

    Relays are usually the first event in the morning starting from 8:45am and need a volunteer to manage the club teams and ensure the children are ready to compete.

  • First to arrive

    If you're first to arrive it would be fantastic if you can retrieve the club tent from the equipment shed and set it up.

  • Duty club

    A few times per season, each club will be expected to assist officials from 8:00am onwards to set up the track and field equipment for the day's competitions.

  • Throughout the day

    Check in with team manager or acting team manager to see if any additional support is needed. Offer encouragement to the athletes and help maintain a positive and supportive environment.

  • Long Jump – 2026/27 Children's Interclub Duty

    Our regular club duty. Read the guide linked above on how to run the long jump event at the Canterbury Children's Athletics interclub meets.

Cross Country and Road Races

  • Club duties

    Some Athletics Canterbury or Athletics New Zealand events may require additional club support, such as providing marshals or help with set up and pack down.

  • Club packs

    Athletics Canterbury events release race numbers in club packs. If you arrive early expect to collect the club numbers for the information tent. They also need to be returned at the end of the event.

  • Club events

    For club hosted events, we may need volunteers to help with registration, marshalling, or other logistical tasks. If you're interested in helping out, please let us know.

  • Race support

    Get involved in supporting our athletes throughout the day. A "Go North Canterbury!" cheer is always appreciated.

Going further

Coaching

Helping at a station is where most of our coaches started. If you find you enjoy it, the next step is a CAD Level 1 coaching course run through Athletics Canterbury or Athletics New Zealand funded by the club. These courses are run at various times throughout the year. It's a great way to learn more about the sport and how to help your child and others improve their skills.

Register your interest

Most coaches at NCAN are volunteers. If you would like to know what is involved before committing to anything, just ask – nobody will sign you up on the spot.

Competition days

Officials

Events only happen when there are enough officials to run it. Timekeeping, measuring, marshalling and recording are all roles a willing parent can learn on the day, alongside someone experienced.

Offer to help

Officiating qualifications are run by Athletics Canterbury, Athletics New Zealand and recognised nationally. This can lead to World Athletics accreditation for those who wish to pursue it. Talk to the club if you would like to work towards one or have a particular interest in supporting certain events.