LL Lapinlahden Luistin LL89 · EST. 1989

How to volunteer as a timekeeper at Lapinlahti home games

Lapinlahden Luistin LL89, founded in 1989 and based at Lapinlahti Ice Hall, runs ice hockey, ringette, floorball and figure skating for community members and competitive teams. Its 2010 Finnish championship achievement is part of that history. At busy home fixtures, a volunteer timekeeper is part of the match-day team, keeping the clock and signals clear for players, officials and families.

Australian readers will recognise the basic role, although a Finnish rink has its own routines. Down under, the volunteer might be called a scorer, clock operator or member of the ice crew. The principles are familiar: follow the appointed official, use the agreed terminology and avoid making decisions that belong to someone else.

What the timekeeper actually does

Volunteering as a timekeeper during a home game usually means operating the visible game clock and starting or stopping it only when directed. The volunteer may also handle period breaks, timeout warnings or an authorised horn signal. A backup stopwatch and a simple written log are valuable: they help confirm the timing if a display, battery or operator has a problem.

The role has clear limits. The referee or appointed game official still controls play, while the scorer records goals and penalties. A volunteer should not announce a score, rule on a stoppage or alter the clock without permission. Before every shift, confirm the sport, ruleset, officials and operating instructions; the club's latest updates can also flag schedule or venue changes.

Getting ready before match day

Contact the game-day coordinator and ask where to report, whom to look for and whether a training session or briefing is required. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early so the clock, display and signal can be checked before players enter. Bring the official paperwork, a charged phone, a pen and any equipment specified by the club. For a Finnish winter fixture, plan for cold travel and heated indoor conditions.

Australian volunteers should check local safeguarding rules. If the position involves direct work with children, the club will explain whether a Working with Children check, police check or declaration is needed under the relevant state or territory rules. Club communication often happens through Facebook or WhatsApp groups, where a coordinator may invite someone to “have a crack” at a vacant shift. Read the message, confirm your availability and keep the group informed if plans change.

Working the clock during play

At the pre-game briefing, note which device is the official game clock, who may use the horn and what happens if the main display fails. Follow the officiating official’s signals rather than the crowd or commentary. Write down the scheduled period length, timeouts and any unusual rule, especially when the fixture is for juniors or uses an adapted format.

Sport or session Common volunteer task Confirm with the official
Ice hockey Run the game clock and authorised horn signals Whether penalty time is handled separately
Ringette Operate the clock and period or timeout cues Which stoppages require a signal
Floorball Track match time under the officiating official Whether a separate clock operator is required
Figure skating Time runs or elements when specifically assigned Which results belong to the judging system
Training Use an interval timer for ice rotations The coach’s session plan and whistle

If the display, horn or clock fails, stop and tell the game official instead of improvising. Use the backup device only if that person directs you, and note the failure and any correction in the log. Quiet, precise calls such as “time out” or “final period” are more useful than a loud announcement, and a calm handover keeps everyone focused on play.

Practical checklists for Australian volunteers

Australian rink routines vary with the weather. Melbourne, Newcastle and Wollongong have reliable indoor ice despite comparatively mild winters, so many volunteers wear a fleece over their club clothing; a cold trip to Kuopio calls for proper thermal layers instead. Many community clubs also rely on parent volunteer rosters, working bees and sausage sizzle fundraisers, so the timekeeper may be one of several volunteers supporting a busy family event.

Use these lists as a practical routine, adapting them to the venue’s instructions and match schedule rather than treating them as a substitute for the official briefing.

Before leaving home

At the rink

After the shift and handover

When the final horn sounds, report the result of the clock, note any equipment issue and tell the next volunteer when the next fixture begins. Return the stopwatch, marker, radio or other club property, then sign out as the coordinator requests. A short debrief can prevent one small timing discrepancy from carrying into the next match.

The value of the role reaches beyond the scoreboard. A Mojokerto youth programme described in this Mojokerto community sport example uses regular exercise to bring young people together with local organisers. Lapinlahti’s timekeeping role works in a similar community way: dependable service supports shared games, volunteers and families.

The point to remember is simple: a trusted timekeeper stays calm, follows the official’s signals and records timing accurately. Consistency in those small actions protects the match and gives every other volunteer confidence that the game is being managed properly.