Volunteer Role Descriptions
Please find the Role Descriptions for British Athletics’ Events. The roles available are as follows:
• Accreditation Assistant
• Athlete Logistics Assistant
• Field Event Data Entry Assistant
• Kit Carrier (age 14-17 only)
• Kit Carrier Manager
• Medal Ceremonies Assistant
• Media Assistant
• Photo Operations Assistant
• Results Runner
• Ticketing & Spectator Services Assistant
• Transponder Collector
Each role involves slightly different tasks and responsibilities and may require different skills and shifts. However, all the roles share the same key benefits for our volunteers, which are:
• Experience of a Major Event with British Athletics
• Free packed lunch
• Free event t-shirt
• Opportunity to meet new people and make unforgettable memories
Please read the descriptions for each role carefully, to ensure you choose something that’s right for you. On the application form, you will be able to choose your top 3 roles. Please make use of this and do not choose the same role 3 times as this will reduce your chance of selection.
Please note, you have to be aged 14 or over to volunteer. If you are under 18 years of age (age 14-17), you can only be selected as a Kit Carrier. If you are 18 years old or older, you cannot be a Kit Carrier, but you can apply for anything else!
Accreditation Assistant
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• Distribute accreditation passes to stakeholders on arrival to accreditation centres based on approved applications and access levels indicated on accreditation lists
• Log passes when they are collected and maintain a tidy accreditation centre
• Assist with any general enquiries that stakeholders may have on arrival
• In the event an individual has arrived at the wrong centre, direct them to the correct accreditation centre from which they can collect their pass
Skills Required:
• Strong customer service skills – friendly and approachable
• Able to work quickly and stay calm under pressure
• Good attention to detail
• Comfortable in dealing with complex, difficult and challenging situations or people
• Comfortable using Microsoft Excel
Typical Shifts:
• Pre-Event Days and Event Days, approximately 08:00-16:00
Athlete Logistics Assistant
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• Support the Events Team with the management of any pre-event training sessions
• Distribute passes to athletes and coaches on arrival to accreditation centres based on approved applications and log passes when they are collected
• Help the Events Team and Officials maintain a tidy athlete area
• Assist with any general enquiries that athletes or coaches may have
Skills Required:
• Strong customer service skills – friendly and approachable
• Able to stay calm under pressure
• Comfortable escalating any potential issues to the Events Team
• Good team player
• Comfortable using Microsoft Excel
• Good knowledge of athletics is desirable
Typical Shifts:
• Pre-Event Days (1 or 2 hours) and Event Days, approximately 08:00-16:00
Field Event Data Entry Assistant
Task & Responsibilities:
• Input field event data into computer software for live event results on the field event boards
• Working in conjunction with the timing contractors and officials to display live results and update information as necessary
Skills Required:
• Good listener
• Able to stay calm under pressure
• Confident using a computer
• High attention to detail
• Comfortable working in a team
• Good athletics knowledge
• Knowledge of officiating is desirable but not essential
Typical Shifts:
• Event Days only from approximately 3 hours before the start of the competition, to allow for the required equipment training, until the end of the competition
Kit Carrier Manager
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• To lead a small team of Kit Carriers, who will be collecting the athletes kit from final call and taking it to the post event collection
• To work with the officials to ensure the Kit Carriers are in the right place at the right time
• To work with the other Kit Carrier Managers to ensure the teams are sharing the workload evenly
Skills Required:
• Confident managing a small team of children aged 14-17 years. Experience of managing small groups of children is desirable
• Good knowledge of athletics
• Strong listener and communicator
• Good at time management and sticking to a fast-paced schedule
• Confident spending a lot of time on the move or standing
• VALID DBS CHECK REQUIRED
Typical Shifts:
• Event Days only from approximately 3 hours before the start of the competition, to allow for the required training, until the end of the competition
Kit Carrier
Age 14-17 only
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• To carry the athletes’ kit from the Call Room to the Post Event Room
• To be willing to carry out any other tasks to support the athletes, as required by the Kit Carrier Manager(s) or Officials
Skills Required:
• Good listener and able to follow instructions
• Able to focus in a busy and exciting events environment
• Comfortable working in a team
• Confident spending a lot of time on the move or standing
• Good knowledge of athletics desirable
Typical Shifts:
• Event Days only from approximately 2 hours before the start of the competition, to allow for the required training, until the end of the competition
Medal Ceremonies Assistant
Only required for the UK Athletics Indoor Championships Birmingham
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• To assist the Medal Ceremonies’ Lead with preparing the medals for presentation
• To help the officials direct and chaperone the top 3 athletes from each event, from the field of play after their finals, to the podium for their medal ceremony
Skills Required:
• Good listening skills
• Able to stay calm and focused under pressure
• Confident approaching athletes
• Good at following instructions and sticking to a fast-paced schedule
• Able to work quickly
• Good knowledge of athletics events is desirable
• Good attention to detail
• Confident spending a lot of time on the move or standing
Typical Shifts:
• Event Days only from approximately 2 hours before the start of the competition, to allow for the required training, until the end of the competition.
Media Assistant
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• Assist with the set-up of media areas at venue
• Staff the media centre to provide assistance to accredited media stakeholders
• Ensure media areas are sufficiently stocked with media information
• Act as a link between accredited media and British Athletics media staff
• Help manage the mixed zone and assist the staff working there with any other media related tasks that may arise
Skills Required:
• Strong customer service skills – friendly and approachable
• Confident manner
• Able to work well as part of a team
• Good organisation skills
• Interested in sports media
Typical Shifts:
• Event Days* from approximately 2 hours before the start of the competition, to allow for the required training, until the end of the competition
*Media Assistants may be required to attend the event press conference the day before competition
Photo Operations Assistant
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• Assist with the set-up of media areas at venue
• Staff the photographer’s room to provide assistance to accredited photographers
• Ensure media areas are sufficiently stocked with media information
• Act as a link between accredited media and British Athletics media staff
• Manage the distribution and collection of photographer bibs
• Assist with any other media related tasks that may arise
Skills Required:
• Strong customer service skills – friendly and approachable
• Confident manner
• Able to work well as part of a team
• Good organisation skills
• Interested in sports photography
Typical Shifts:
• Event Days* only from approximately 2 hours before the start of the competition, to allow for the required training, until the end of the competition
*Photo Operations Assistants may be required to attend the event press conference the day before competition
Results Runner
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• Work closely with the media team to distribute competition entry lists/start lists/results and quotes to key groups within the event, including media and technical officials
• Assist with general media requests or advise where the information can be found
• Support the Flash Quotes team with athletes after they have competed when necessary
• Keep the results boards up to date at various points throughout the venues
• Direct media to their areas within the venue and assist them where possible
Skills Required:
• Confident spending a lot of time on the move – you will cover a lot of ground!
• Good sense of direction, as once shown where to go, you will need to be confident you can make your way around the venue
• Approachable & confident communicator
• Enthusiastic/energetic
• Able to work well as part of a team
• Organised and good attention to detail
Typical Shifts:
• Event Days only from approximately 2 hours before the start of the competition, to allow for the required training, until the end of the competition
Ticketing & Spectator Services Assistant
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• Show spectators to their designated seats
• Assist with any ticketing issues requiring resolution
• Assist with spectator accessibility requirements where relevant
• Assist with fan activations within the spectator concourse
• Help with queue management
• Help with general directional way finding in and around the venue
Skills Required:
• Strong customer service skills – friendly and approachable
• Great communication skills
• Enthusiastic/energetic
• Good organisation skills
• Confident in escalating any issues or concerns to a member of staff
Typical Shifts:
• Event Days only from approximately 2 hours before the start of the competition, to allow for the required training, until the end of the competition
Transponder Collector
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• To distribute and collect transponders from competing athletes
• To listen to and follow the instruction of the officials, working to tight deadlines
Skills Required:
• Confident approaching athletes
• Strong customer service skills – friendly and approachable
• Good listener and able to follow instructions
• Able to focus in a busy and exciting events environment
• Comfortable working in a team
• Confident spending a lot of time on the move or standing
Typical Shifts:
• Event Days only from approximately 2 hours before the start of the competition, to allow for the required training, until the end of the competition
Other Opportunities
Below are a selection of links and resources, which will support you in identifying how you can contribute your specific skills and expertise to benefit athletics in your community.
We are also in the process of developing our Volunteer Activity Directory, where you will find listings of volunteering opportunities within athletics. We are currently working with clubs and other organisations to identify volunteering opportunities within athletics – keep an eye on the website for more information.
A variety of volunteering opportunities will be added, so keep an eye on this page; you may see your ideal role!
Locate your nearest club with our postcode search facility. Many clubs will be grateful of an extra pair of hands. Why not get in touch and see what you can offer?
Volunteering in athletics can provide a number of exciting and challenging roles – see how a number of athletics clubs involve volunteers at present.