Q: What level are you currently at on the Cycling Award for Young Volunteers Programme?

Q: What do you enjoy most about volunteering

Q: How do you think being a volunteer has helped you?

Q: Is there anything you would change about your volunteering experience?

Q: Where would you like your volunteering to take you in the future?

Blog 1: 29/05/2013

Timekeeper at Duathlon at Burringham

During this event I took the numbers when they set off for the second run. I then passed this information onto the head timekeeper to check everyone was back from the bike section. I was a little nervous as I wanted to make sure I had accounted for everybody. If I had missed anyone it could mean they were still out on the course, for example they could have had a puncture.

I think I did a good job to account for everyone and made sure that this information was passed onto the right person in order for the results to be processed.  I had to overcome a few challenges along the way however, I had to make sure that I marked everyone down even if they came in in a big group, I had to make sure I was vigilant in order to make a note of all of their individual numbers. What I found helped with this was to shout them out as they came past.

Blog 2: 26/05/2013

Marshalling at ‘The Bomber’ Quadathlon

During this event I marshalling the dismount line with another volunteer.  This was just as they were coming off the cycling section before they entered the transition. I really enjoyed this as I have done this role before. It felt good to make sure everyone got off at the correct time to keep spectators and other competitors safe as well as making sure everybody dismounting correctly.

There were a few challenges that we had to deal with, one man swore at us as he went the wrong way. We directed him the correct way, we did make a note of this and reported him to the head race official and received an apology.

Next time I take part in a similar role I am going to position a marshal further away to warn the riders earlier to dismount. I am also going to ask the race officials to make sure everyone knows where they are going by reading the race pack before the race.   

Blog 3: School Year 12/13

School Dry Triathlon (Rowing, biking, running)

I lead and organised a dry triathlon at school.

I organised pupil, equipment and times in the school day, plus timing the children at the event. The kids enjoyed it and the other volunteers worked well.

I really enjoyed getting the kids active and involved in sport as well as getting other volunteers involved. It felt good when it all came together and the pupils seemed to enjoy it. I used a range of skills during this activity, including: organisation, delegation, leaflet design, time keeping and communication.

A few challenging moments came when we had to deal with a young boy falling over and hurting himself, but a senior member of staff performed first aid (as I was not qualified). We also could have done with more timekeepers which would have made the process quicker.

Blog 4: 12^th August 2013

Assistant Coach

I helped to our lead coach deliver his coaching session, this included the basics of through and off riding, involving four riders. It was a really good session as you could see that all abilities involved made small improvements.

It was a good session to do with the group of children that we had, as their ability to use this skill was basic at the start, however improved during the session. It was good to see it work and all the children enjoyed getting involved.

Next time I would like to try this skill in a larger group, as we only used groups of four riders at one time. I would only do this with groups of children who were at the same skill level. 

Blog 5: 10^th June 2013

Assistant Coach

I assisted the lead coach once again, this session involved ‘M’ checking bikes and helmets, then timing the little races, which involved timed laps of 200m and a devil.

The races went well, with good handicapping all the riders seemed to enjoy getting involved. It seemed a good time to introduce the races as the children has been practising many of the skills necessary in previous sessions. They then got to use these skills and put them to practise in a number of different races.

Not all of the riders were confident and wanted to race, so what we did for this group was we made a smaller group race for them to have a go at.

Next I would like to encourage more riders to go to the session so that we could replicate more race situations.