volunteers

The AWA is an all-volunteer organization. The AWA currently has no paid staff members, so we rely on the generosity and skills of our volunteers to coach, officiate, organize competitions, promote our sport, and run our organization throughout the year. Here is an overview of just some of the volunteer opportunities that are available and what they entail.

• Officiating

Officials serve several capacities at weightlifting competitions, ranging from judging whether a lift was successful, timekeeping, announcing, weighing-in athletes, scorekeeping and marshaling. For more details on officials, see our Officials page on this website.

• Coaching

To be a weightlifting coach in the AWA, you need to be a member of the AWA and complete the coaching components established by the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). For more details on coaching, see our Coaches page on this website.

• Volunteering at Competitions

Running a weightlifting competition requires the efforts of many people. Tasks include transporting equipment, setting up the competition platform, setting up chairs and tables, tearing down equipment, loading weights, setting up scoreboards and PA systems, and, for experienced volunteers, serving as Meet Directors. 

• Serving on the Executive

Members of the AWA Executive are elected by the membership and serve two-year terms. The current Executive comprises the President, Vice President – Administration, Vice President – Technical, Treasurer and Secretary. For more details on these positions, please see the AWA Bylaws link here.

• Fundraising

The AWA generates funding through memberships, contest entry fees, hosting weightlifting and coaching clinics, sales of apparel, and through casinos and grant applications.

• Social media and Website

Social media is becoming an important aspect of the promotion of our sport. We are always looking for new ideas to improve our website and promote our sport through Facebook, Twitter and other social media. If you would like to contribute to those efforts, please contact us at info@albertaweightlifting.ca.

• Promotions

Throughout the year the AWA hosts competitions and educational seminars, and our members operate affiliated weightlifting clubs. If you have an interest in promoting these activities, whether through journalism, design, photography or otherwise, we welcome your contributions.

• Sales of Merchandise

  At our larger competitions we often sell apparel, coffee and cookies. If you enjoy retail sales, baking, or just handling cash, please let us know.

If you have an interest in any of the activities listed above, or if you have ideas for things we haven’t listed here, we would love to hear from you at info@albertaweightlifting.ca.