Active Gloucestershire, pill thumb a local charity which aims to increase the amount of people taking part in sport and physical activity in the county, are urging new and existing volunteers to help get ‘more people, more active, more often’ by applying to be one of the friendly faced volunteers of the 2015 Gloucestershire School Games.
The Gloucestershire School Games is an annual Olympic / Paralympic style multi-sports programme involving over 4000 participants in 42 events around the county. High quality volunteers have been integral to the success of the Games success since they were first introduced in 2012 by supporting areas such as officiating, media, medical, and event day assistance.
Active Gloucestershire is now looking to build upon the program’s success by recruiting this year’s army of over 100 enthusiastic, proactive and committed volunteers who will be known as School Games Makers. Successful applicants will receive training and branded kit with the opportunity to select as many or as little events as they are available to help out with.
Applications for prospective volunteers to become a School Games Maker open at 9am on Monday 29th September and will remain open until 5pm on Friday 24th October 2014.
No previous volunteering experience is necessary; the 2015 Gloucestershire School Games is simply looking for helpful and friendly people who will be aged 14 by close of applications on 24 October. Volunteers must be available for the training day on Saturday 22nd November 9.30am-4.30pm at Hartpury College and agree to volunteer at least 1 County Final School Games event which take place between December 2014 and July 2015.
Applications forms can be found online at www.activegloucestershire.org/schoolgames.asp. Further information is also by email at kirstdunleavy@activegloucestershire.org or on twitter @GlosSchoolGames
Urging people to step up to the volunteer challenge, Kirsty Dunleavy, Children and Young People Officer for Active Gloucestershire said:
“Being a School Games Maker volunteer at The Gloucestershire School Games really is the opportunity to experience a large sporting event first hand and be part of something very special for the County”
Our volunteers are crucial to the success of the Games. They are our front-line workforce, promoting Gloucestershire’s greatest school athletes to the county and creating a fantastic experience not just for the athletes and spectators who will be there in person, but also for the many people who will be following the Games through the local media outlets.”
“I would encourage everyone – regardless of age, ability, background or life experience – to think about being part of creating a Sainsbury’s School Games success story for Gloucestershire and apply now as a Gloucestershire School Games Maker volunteer.”
School Games Makers from previous years have noted the positive impact the experience has had on them:
Kel, aged 23, who volunteered at the 2013 Gloucestershire School Games, said:
“Being a School Games Maker has given me the confidence and knowledge to lead, organise and run my own sports events.”
Harri, aged 17, assisted with the media team in 2014 Gloucestershire School Games. She said:
“It was an amazing experience, seeing children achieve and enjoy themselves was really rewarding!”
The full competition schedule for the 2015 Gloucestershire School Games is expected to be released in early October. Full details will be available online at www.activegloucestershire.org/schoolgames.asp