Pathfinders Trials Motorcycle Club Pathfinders Trials Motorcycle Club

Pathfinders Trials Motorcycle Club

Every Event Starts With Volunteers

Riders compete, but volunteers make the event possible. Pathfinders relies on club members, families, officials, former riders and supporters giving their time to help.

Start Here

How Would You Like to Help?

Choose the option that feels closest. You do not need to know the exact role yet.

Season Planner Calendar

Observer & Official Calendar

Choose an upcoming Pathfinders event and nominate as an observer, official or event helper. Self-observed events do not request section observers. Your nomination is sent directly to the Club Secretary for review.

27 September 2026

Memorial Trial – Supporting Hero Hunter Foundation

Ninigo farm

Self-observed — section observers are not required. Officials and event helpers can still nominate.

25 October 2026

Ashes Trial/Twinshock

Morangup

Self-observed — section observers are not required. Officials and event helpers can still nominate.

New to Observing?

Learn It. Try It. Take It Further.

  1. 1Read the Observer Guide
  2. 2Observe at Prestige 6 with club support
  3. 3Volunteer for the Nationals

Online Nomination

Nominate for an Event

Your nomination is sent to the Club Secretary for review. The club will confirm the role with you. RiderNet is optional for observers and non-riding helpers.

No experience?Many roles require none.
You will be supportedWe explain the role and pair new helpers with experienced people.
Official pathwaysThe club can help members work toward accreditation.

Find Your Place

Ways You Can Help

Open any role to see what is involved and whether experience or accreditation is required.

Before the Event

Planning and Course Preparation

These volunteers turn a date and a property into a safe, organised trials event.

Event Organisers Coordinate the event from early planning through to event day.

Event organisers bring the people, paperwork and practical arrangements together. They may liaise with the property owner, confirm officials, coordinate permits, arrange equipment and make sure the event is ready to run. Organisers are supported by the committee and do not need to complete every task themselves.

Experience and supportBest suited to organised people. New organisers can work alongside experienced committee members.
Section Setters Design, mark and test sections for the different rider grades.

Section setters select suitable terrain, place markers and boundary tape, consider safety and weather, and adjust sections after testing. Good sections are challenging, fair and appropriate for each class.

Experience and supportTrials experience is useful. New setters can learn by working with experienced riders and officials.
Course Clearing and Venue Preparation Help clear access, prepare the venue and carry equipment.

Volunteers may clear fallen branches and vegetation, prepare parking or camping areas, place direction signs, carry section equipment and assist setters. A few hours before an event can save the regular organisers a substantial amount of work.

Experience and supportNo official qualification is required. Follow the organiser’s instructions and use suitable protective equipment.

Essential Event Roles

Observers, Officials and Safety

These roles support fair scoring, safe competition and compliance with the event permit.

Clerk of Course Oversee the sporting and operational conduct of the event.

The Clerk of Course coordinates officials and volunteers, oversees the course, conducts the riders’ briefing, manages operational issues and works with the Steward to ensure the event follows the permit and regulations.

Experience and supportThis is an accredited official role. Members can begin by assisting experienced officials and completing the required training.
Steward Provide independent oversight of the event.

The Steward reviews documentation, inspects the venue and course, monitors compliance, deals with significant sporting matters and completes the Steward’s report. The Steward works closely with the Clerk of Course while maintaining independent oversight.

Experience and supportThis role requires the appropriate Motorcycling Australia official accreditation.
Race Secretary and Event Administration Manage entries, sign-on, event records and administration.

The Race Secretary checks entries, licences and memberships, manages rider and official sign-on, prepares event documentation and maintains the records required before and after the event. Administrative helpers can assist with checking information and directing participants.

Experience and supportSome responsibilities require accreditation. Organised volunteers with basic computer confidence can assist and learn the role.
Technical Inspectors Check motorcycles and required rider equipment before competition.

Technical inspection may include motorcycle condition, brakes, controls, kill switches, number plates, helmets and protective equipment. Helpers can also prepare the inspection area and manage rider flow.

Experience and supportThe inspector role generally requires accreditation, while support tasks can be completed by experienced club members.

On the Day

Event Support

These practical roles keep the event moving and make the day easier for riders, families and officials.

Rider and Official Sign-On Assistance Guide riders and volunteers through the morning sign-on process.

Sign-on helpers direct people to the correct area, assist them to find their records, check that signatures are complete, answer basic questions and refer licence or entry problems to the Race Secretary.

Experience and supportA good introductory role. No official qualification is required for general assistance.
Setup and Pack-Down Set up club equipment and help leave the property clean and tidy.

Volunteers may set up tables, shelters, signs and administration areas, distribute observer equipment, collect markers and pack club equipment away. Staying for an extra half hour after the event makes a genuine difference.

Experience and supportNo experience is required. Tasks are allocated on the day.
Observer Coordinator Look after the observer team before, during and after the event.

The Observer Coordinator helps confirm who is attending, allocate observers to sections, provide scoring equipment, explain the basics to new observers, make sure sign-on is complete, organise lunches and drinks, check on observers during the day, arrange relief or assistance when required, pass scoring questions to the appropriate official and collect equipment at the end of the event. The role is about making sure observers feel informed, supported and appreciated.

Experience and supportNo sporting decisions are required. Club officials handle rulings and disputes. Good organisation and communication are the most useful skills.
General Event Helpers Take on the small jobs that keep an event running smoothly.

General helpers may deliver equipment, replace section markers, direct parking, check on volunteers, carry messages between officials or help resolve minor event-day problems.

Experience and supportNo experience is required. A willingness to help is the most important qualification.

Behind the Scenes

Results, Communications and Venue Support

Not every volunteer role happens inside a section. These people help record, promote and protect the event.

Scoring and Results Monitor scores, resolve missing information and publish results.

Scoring volunteers may monitor digital scoring, follow up missing scores, review rider statuses, check unusual results and assist with event results and championship standings. The Event Management System handles much of the calculation, but people are still required to supervise the process.

Experience and supportGood attention to detail and basic computer confidence are useful. Training can be provided.
Photography, Social Media and Communications Share club activity and help promote future events.

Communications helpers can take event photos, prepare Facebook updates, share results, collect information from officials, update the website and recognise landowners, observers and volunteers.

Experience and supportNo official qualification is required. Please follow club guidance about photography and publishing personal information.
Property Owners and Venue Support Help the club use and protect the property responsibly.

Property owners and venue helpers may identify access restrictions, advise on parking and camping, support preparation, protect sensitive areas and report concerns before or after an event. Every participant shares responsibility for leaving the property in good condition.

Experience and supportLocal knowledge of the property is especially valuable.

2026 Club Policy

Volunteer Incentives & Recompense

Pathfinders recognises that some volunteer roles involve direct out-of-pocket costs or a significant commitment. The current club policy provides recompense or a free ride for selected roles. These are club incentives and reimbursements for volunteering — not wages.

Observers$80

Per full event day to cover out-of-pocket expenses. Whole-day observers only; one payment per section, per day.

Race Secretary$50

To cover out-of-pocket expenses for attending and volunteering at the event.

Scores Recorder$50

Up to two scorers where required. For multi-day events, an additional $30 is provided for each extra day requiring scores to be recorded.

Event OrganiserFree Ride

The event organiser / section setter and one nominated assistant receive a free ride for the event. The nominated assistant must be advised to the Club Secretary no later than one day before entries close on RiderNet.

Toilet Trailer TransportFree Ride

The person who tows the toilet trailer from the hire company to the event and returns it receives a free ride.

Bibs — Washing$50

For taking dirty bibs home, washing and drying them, organising them and getting them to the next event.

LandownersMembership + Ride

Free annual Senior or Family club membership when their property is on the event calendar, plus a free ride at events held on their own property.

Important Conditions

  • Cash recompense is paid on the day of the event.
  • Except for the Landowner free ride, an unused free ride may be transferred to the next Pathfinders event of the same or cheaper entry fee in the same calendar year.
  • Free rides cannot be transferred to another rider.
  • A volunteer may qualify for more than one incentive when they perform more than one eligible role.
  • Ad-hoc incentives outside the policy are decided by the acting committee. Open-event recompense is considered separately by the Treasurer to suit the event budget.

Current amounts shown are from the Pathfinders Volunteer Incentives and Recompense Policy, Revision 5, dated 9 January 2026. Club policy takes precedence if it is later amended.

A Great Place to Start

Try Observing at One Event

You do not need to be an experienced rider. We explain the scoring, provide equipment and have an official available to support you during the day. Under the 2026 club policy, whole-day observers receive $80 per full event day to help cover out-of-pocket expenses. Recompense is one payment per section, per day.

Everyone Has a Part to Play

Ride. Compete. Volunteer. Belong.

Even a few hours can make a genuine difference. Tell us what you are comfortable doing and we will help find a role that suits you.

Put My Hand Up How Members Can Help