How to organise an agility competition

Start by securing the competition venue, checking the required permit and confirming the judge. Then set the rules, publish the entry form and build a realistic timeline for registrations, course preparation and volunteer shifts. Agility events often run into trouble when catalogue details, parking instructions or specialist equipment are left until the final week. Use the plan to coordinate the course, paperwork, refreshments, prizes and access arrangements before competition day.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Reserve competition venue
2
Check competition permit
3
Assign judge
4
Set competition rules
2 people
5
Arrange the prize table
6
Publish registration form
7
Send invitations
2 people
8
Approach sponsors
2 people
9
Process registrations
2 people
10
Collect dietary requirements
11
Compile start list
2 people
12
Check catalog details
2 people
13
Assign volunteers
2 people
14
Make a parking plan
15
Send directions
16
Order prizes and medals
17
Check the shopping list
2 people
18
Check stock of competition materials
2 people
19
Test sound and power
2 people
20
Print race numbers
2 people
21
Print competition papers
2 people
22
Do the shopping
3 people
23
Chill drinks
2 people
24
Prepare snacks
3 people
25
Pick up venue keys
26
Inspect the site
2 people
27
Put up parking signs
2 people
28
Build party tents
4 people
29
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
30
Mark off the competition field
3 people
31
Build the agility course
6 people
32
Have the course approved
2 people
33
Set up the registration table
2 people
34
Set up catering point
3 people
35
Set up sound
2 people
36
Set up the prize table
2 people
37
Give volunteer briefing
2 people

Event

38
Receive the inspector
39
Check registrations
3 people
40
Hand out race numbers
2 people
41
Inform dogs and participants
2 people
42
Explain the course
43
Open the match
44
Announce starting order
45
Record the start and finish
2 people
46
Process competition results
2 people
47
Restore the course
3 people
48
Refer participants
2 people
49
Serve drinks
3 people
50
Refill drinks
2 people
51
Serve snacks
2 people
52
Empty trash bins
2 people
53
Check toilets
54
Check prize winners
2 people
55
Present prizes
3 people
56
Close the competition
57
See participants off
3 people

Aftercare

58
Dismantle the course
6 people
59
Take down tents and furniture
5 people
60
Pack competition materials
4 people
61
Wash dishes
3 people
62
Collect waste
3 people
63
Clean the grounds
4 people
64
Clean the restrooms
2 people
65
Publish results
66
Reorder prizes
67
Return materials
2 people
68
Return venue keys
69
Send a thank-you gift to participants
70
Archive invoices and receipts

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Sports equipment

Agility jumpsqty 12
Weavepolesqty 12
Agility tunnelsqty 3
A-frame sign
Cat walk
Seesaw
Band
Tables for dogsqty 2
Start and finish postsqty 4
Competition ribbonqty 4
Barrier conesqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 6
Water bowls for dogsqty 8
Dog waste bag dispensersqty 4
Dog waste bag holdersqty 8
Spare parts for the course
Measuring tapeqty 2
Spirit levelsqty 2
Rubber malletsqty 4
Wrench setsqty 2

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Registration tablesqty 3
Buffet tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 6
Prize table
Storage cratesqty 12
Changing room screensqty 2

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Printer
Stopwatchesqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 4
Calculatorsqty 3

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Pouring jugsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Serving traysqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Ice bucket traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Tongs and serving spoonsqty 8
Bottle openersqty 4
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Cooling mats for dogsqty 6

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 12
Directional signsqty 12
Bib holdersqty 4
Tableclothsqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Stage signsqty 3

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Mops and bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 8
Paper towel dispensersqty 4

First aid

First aid kitsqty 2
Cold packs setsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the entry deadline early enough to compile the start list, check catalogue details and print race numbers and competition papers. Leave at least 7 days between closing entries and the event so corrections do not become a last-minute job.
Confirm the complete course before event day, including jumps, weavepoles, tunnels, the A-frame, cat walk, seesaw and band. Check the measuring tools, levels, mallets, spanner sets and spare parts rather than discovering a missing fix during setup.
Give volunteers named positions and arrival times for registration, parking, course handling, refreshments and stewarding. Send directions with the invitation or confirmation so competitors know where to park and where to check in.
Test the laptop, printer, sound system and power supply before the venue opens. Print a small backup set of race numbers and competition papers in case the printer fails or a registration changes.
Prepare dog welfare and site management together: place water bowls, waste-bag dispensers, cones and barrier tape where competitors will see them. Collect dietary requirements during registration and arrange snacks, chilled drinks and buffet tables before the first class starts.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise an agility competition?: Begin venue, permit and judge arrangements at least 8 to 12 weeks before the competition. Open registration only after the rules, class details and practical venue information are confirmed.
When should agility competition entries close?: Close entries at least 7 days before the event if you expect a straightforward start list. Allow 10 to 14 days when you need to verify catalogue details, process many registrations or print a larger set of competition papers.
How many volunteers do I need for an agility competition?: Plan separate cover for registration, parking, course support, stewarding and refreshments, with at least 1 named person responsible for each area. For a small competition, schedule around 6 to 10 volunteers so no one has to leave the course unattended.
What should I check the day before an agility competition?: Check the venue keys, course equipment, spare parts, water supplies, waste bags, prizes, printed documents and power connections the day before. Also confirm the judge, volunteer shifts, parking plan and competitor directions before the final setup.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.