Applications for 2020 Team Leaders are being accepted now. Click HERE to learn more. 

 Team Leader Selection
Supporting our international athletes in competition situations
2017-2020
(Excludes USOC controlled events)

Lorene Halford
National Teams Manager
Office Phone: (719) 866-2254
Cell Phone: (719) 337-8895
FAX: (719) 866-4741
Email: lorene.halford@usaweightlifting.org

USA Weightlifting
Business Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MST)

Address:
USA Weightlifting, Inc.
One Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Website: http://www.usaweightlifting.org
Email: usaw@usaweightlifting.org 

Purpose
The purpose of the Team Leader is to provide skilled support to the athletes and coaches on the team so that they can execute their best performance. The role of the Team Leader is to remove obstacles from that performance.

Philosophy on USA Weightlifting’s Team Leader Selection:
USA Weightlifting requires that it’s Team Leaders be selected on the basis that makes them competent for the job in hand.

Step 1 - Minimum Qualifications
To be considered to be a Team Leader, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • You must have a valid United States of America Passport 
    A Team Leader must possess a USA passport with an expiration date of a minimum of 6 months after the competition, or the entry requirement of the host nation, whichever is the greater.
  • Background Check & SafeSport
    The Team Leader must have a valid USA Weightlifting background check (clear) and have a current SafeSport certification on file.
  • Other Requirements 
    The Team Leader must be a current member of USA Weightlifting in good standing, with no violations of the Code of Ethics/Conduct and/or International Team Code of Conduct in the last 4 years.

Step 2 - Express Interest in being a Team Leader

Express interest in serving as a Team Leader by completing the online interest form that is found in the position announcement along with the job description.

Step 3 - Allocation to a Team
Team Leaders will be allocated to teams by the National Teams Manager in association with the Technical Director and CEO on an event-by-event basis. 

The following factors will be considered:
            - Previous Experience Leading Teams
            - Previous Experience Leading Teams of that Age Group.
            - Professional background (for example, High School Teacher).
            - Speaking the language of the nation concerned. 
            - Gender mix of staff (for teams including a Junior age or below athlete)
            - Coach ranking & level. 
            - Activity in Weightlifting (attending the qualification competitions)
            - Knowledge of the athletes and coaches concerned.
            - Feedback from delegation members from previous assignments.
            - Location

Step 4 - Working with USA Weightlifting in Preparation for the Competition.
The Team Leader will work with USA Weightlifting to prepare for the competition, speaking with each assigned coach, personal coach and athlete ahead of competition to understand their needs on the ground.

The Team Leader will work with USA Weightlifting to understand and assist in decisions taken regarding competition logistics (e.g. Air Travel).

Step 5 - Competition
The Team Leader will execute the role during Competition per the Team Leader Description in Appendix A.

The Team Leader will oversee that all delegation members abide by the USA Weightlifting international team code of conduct.


 

Appendix A:

USA Weightlifting Team Leader Job Description

 

BEFORE DEPARTURE:

  • Must have the ability to download WhatsApp to cellphone as it will be the official communication for the delegation.
  • Check with the National Teams Manager if a USA flag and national anthem recording are required to be brought with the delegation.
  • Ensure you have a major credit card for emergencies.
  • Familiarize with the destination country, re: geography, customs, currency, temperatures, altitude, etc. Embassies and Consulates in USA can be useful as are public libraries and major airlines. Get maps of cities and the country.
  • Obtain currency of the country you are traveling to.

    ON ARRIVAL:

  • Supervise baggage claim and handle any problems there, if the team arrives on separate flights have a plan in place to make sure any problems are resolved smoothly.
  • Supervise passport control and customs clearance, if the team arrives on separate flights have a plan in place to make sure any problems are resolved smoothly.
  • Coordinate with organizing committee reception for personnel and baggage transportation to hotel accommodations.
  • At hotel, arrange accreditation, room groups, and meal tickets for all delegation members.
  • Supervise room move in and settle any problems, organize a list of all room numbers in case of emergencies.
  • Obtain the training hall, transportation, and mealtime schedule from the organizing committee.
  • Locate and inform team of scale, sauna, training hall and competition venue locations if not made available before the competition.
  • Ensure that you have agendas for appropriate meetings at event and any other appropriate paperwork necessary for the competition.
  • If the training schedule allows, make sure all delegation members attend the opening ceremonies (in Team USA outfitting), except those competing on the day immediately after.

 

COMPETITION DAYS:

  • Assist coaches with weigh-ins (check that athlete has credential, passport, warm-up suit, USA singlet, and any items needed post weigh in).
  • Arrange availability of food and drinks following weigh-in (if team dietician is not present on trip).
  • Attend scheduled training sessions if head coaches cannot due to another athlete competing. Communicate with head coaches if any lift data is to be collected from training.
  • Ensure competitors are accompanied to doping control and that paperwork is correctly completed and witnessed (if the athlete does not have a personal coach to go with them). Retain the receipt.
  • Accompany or arrange for accompaniment of competitors to press conference if USA required (if member of USA Weightlifting Communications is not present).
  • After each session where an athlete from USA has competed, take a picture of the score board and send via WhatsApp to the National Teams Manager.

    GENERAL ITEMS:

  • Confirm with coaches, with classes and entry totals for Verification of Final Entries (VFE) meeting.
  • Get copy of start list and groups as well as any other relevant information after the VFE.
  • Once the final start list has been released, organize a team meeting to review the final schedule before the competition, establish ground rules, stress team discipline, and group support for lifters on competition day. Allow other staff members (head coaches, dietician, medical staff, etc) to make any announcements necessary to the team.
  • Arrange for boxed lunches or meals, if appropriate, for competition days. Check with each athlete, or team dietician if present, if a box lunch is required.
  • Confirm transportation to the airport for delegation members with the organizing committee.
  • Make sure, after the finish of competition, all remaining athletes, coaches and staff attend the closing ceremonies (dressed in Team USA warm-up suits). If any awards are presented ensure the appropriate athletes represent Team USA to receive the award.
  • Every evening, collaborate with head coaches/support staff to create a schedule for the next day. Make sure it is delivered via WhatsApp to the whole delegation (Preferably before 10pm if current days schedule allows).

 

Returning to the U.S.:

  • Return (or shred) any confidential information (i.e. passports, insurance cards, etc) that you received for the trip to the National Teams Manager.
  • Relay an unsolved or concerning issues from the competition to the National Teams Manager.
  • Submit any receipts for reimbursement or general documentation to the National Teams Manager.