Officials

In most league matches in the Indoors league, SYAL and the Senior Men's league clubs are docked points for not supplying the required number (usually three) officials. The CSS league in which we took part on Sunday there is a slight variation: clubs are indeed docked points for not havaing enough official but they are awarded 50 points for every graded official they have. So with five officials there are 250 points to be gained before an athlete steps on to the track, or conversely, the youngsters have to win five events before they are even with another club with an extra official. On Sunday we had two graded officials in Raymond Farrell and myself (100 points) and we had six officials in total which meant that we were not losing points on that front.
Becoming a graded official is not difficult: have a look at the current issue of PB the Scottish Athletics magazine on page 28. If you have some experience or know what event you want to specialise in then contact Shona Malcolm. The courses are free, the first one takes less than one day and you are then able to help out at meetings where the chief official at your event will be at least grade two. Then if you help out in CSS league for the club, we gain 50 points. It is an enjoyable course and on a good day it can be good fun as well.
Even if this is not for you, remember that Phil needs at least three officials for all leagues except the CSS where he needs five in total and a volunteer is better than two pressed men!