Why Community Support Matters
Running a successful track and field club takes more than coaches and athletes – it takes a community.
Volunteer time help us keep fees affordable, secure training spaces, buy essential equipment, and host meets and special events.
Without our Volunteers? We couldn’t do any of this without you!
What is the Volunteer Bond?
At Excel Athletika, every family plays a part. To ensure responsibilities are shared fairly, we ask each athlete or athlete family to provide a volunteer bond at registration. It’s a financial commitment that says, Yes, we’re in. We’ll show up.
Here’s how it works:
- A credit card is authorized for the $500 per athlete bond. This is not a hold like at a hotel!
- Credit card limits are not affected. Instead, it’s a commitment.
- The payment isn’t processed unless your family doesn’t complete the required volunteer hours by season’s end.
- Meeting the requirements means the bond is never charged.
- If the volunteer hours aren’t completed, the bond payment is processed at the end of the season.
It’s a simple system to help make sure the load is shared, with the benefits reaching every athlete.
Program Bond Amount & Volunteer Hour Commitment
- $500 bond per athlete
- 1 Athlete completes 20 volunteer hours
- 2+ Athletes complete 30 volunteer hours
- RJT athletes are not bonded but athlete families are welcome to volunteer!
Volunteer Roles include (but aren’t limited to):
- Helping at meets (timing, marshalling, setup/takedown)
- Assisting with club events, equipment, or special projects
- Acting as a team manager, coach, or official (see below for more on how to become an official)
- Coaches and families volunteering as officials at two or more meets automatically meet this requirement!
- Families sign up for shifts using the shared link to signup.com and are responsible for fulfilling or arranging their spots.
If a volunteer commitment isn’t met:
- The volunteer bond will be processed.
- Future registration priority will be affected.
Why Your Help Matters
Your time and involvement allow our club to run great events, maintain equipment, and support all athletes. It’s also a chance to make friends and become part of our club and the wider track and field community!
What is an Official?
Becoming an official is a bit different. Track and field officials are the people who make competitions run smoothly and fairly. They help with everything from measuring jumps and throws, to timing races and checking rules.
Officials are essential for every meet to be safe, fair, and fun. Most of our meets couldn’t happen without them, and right now, there aren’t nearly enough across Canada!
Most officials start out as parents or volunteers with no prior experience. Training is free, and you’ll work alongside experienced mentors. Even just helping at a couple of meets makes a huge difference!
If you’re curious or up for learning something new, consider signing up! It’s a great way to meet people, understand the sport from a new angle, and support athletes – including your own. The time you put in as an official fulfills your volunteer bond and make our club stronger. Learn more about becoming an official and how to get involved by requesting more information from volunteers at excelathletika dot ca or on the Athletics Canada website.