Hosting a junior footy carnival day

A carnival day is a great way to start or finish a junior season. Lots of teams, short games, and every kid gets plenty of footy.

It also goes wrong in familiar ways. The draw runs late, two teams turn up for the same field, and the same five parents do every job. This is a plan your committee can reuse each year.

1. Decide the size of the day

Pick the age groups, how many teams you can take, and how long each game runs. Short games with a quick break at half time keep younger kids fresh.

Set an entry closing date. You can't build a fair draw while teams are still joining.

2. Split the oval into smaller grounds

One oval usually fits two or three junior grounds side by side. Mark each one with cones and give it a number on a sign.

• Leave a clear gap between grounds and between each ground and the fence.
• Keep a walking lane so families aren't crossing a game in play.
• Put the youngest age groups on the ground closest to the toilets and canteen.

3. Build a draw that rests every team

Every team should play the same number of games. Nobody should play twice in a row, and the gap between games should be similar for everyone.

Print the draw and put it up near the canteen, with a ground map beside it.

4. Run time from one place

One timekeeper with a siren or horn starts and finishes every game at once. All the grounds stay in step, and a late game can't push back the whole day.

5. Roster the jobs before the day

List every job and put a name next to each one. Ask each visiting club to bring helpers too.

• A field umpire and a scorer for each ground
• The timekeeper, plus someone to take over at lunch
• Canteen, car park and a welcome table
• Set-up early and pack-up at the end

6. Plan for heat and rain

Find shade for each ground and make sure there's drinking water close by. Agree a time on the morning when the committee decides whether the day goes ahead, and who tells the teams.

7. Finish well

Hand out something small for every player, not only the winners. Thank the volunteers by name before everyone leaves, and write down what to change for next year.

Do it in Sportdify

Add the teams, set the game times and generate the draw. Scorers can enter results as each game finishes.

How to