20th October 2010
Applications are now open for the London 2012 Games Maker volunteer programme, which enable you to become part of the action at the Paralympics.
Andy Barrow explains how it works:
“As a GB Wheelchair Rugby player, I would encourage everyone passionate about my sport to consider lending their time to make the London 2012 Paralympic a success.
If you’re passionate about wheelchair rugby as a sport, have competed in it or are involved with the sport in any capacity, then London 2012 wants to hear from you. There are more than fifty opportunities for you to use your skills and experience in the most fantastic of settings. This will be unlike any event you will have ever seen!
I come from New Eltham, a suburb really close to Greenwich and I just can’t wait to compete on home soil in 2012 and welcome the world to this fantastic part of London. And as a volunteer you could be a part of this too!
The 70,000 Games Maker volunteers will literally make the Games happen for the athletes from the UK and around the world who will be competing in the Basketball Arena venue on the Olympic Park during the Wheelchair Rugby competition.
For athletes like me, volunteers are absolutely integral to making sure we have a good experience at a Paralympic Games.
You need people who can guide you in the right direction for the warm-up area, know where you can buy a phone card and tell you how you can get to your competition venue (all questions I have asked in my time).
Applications for the London 2012 volunteer programme are open until midnight on the 27 October 2010. There are a wide range of roles available for volunteers in the Wheelchair Rugby competitions, such as welcoming the athletes to the venue, team leaders, working on the field of play, managing equipment etc etc. I can guarantee you that whatever you do, you will be right at the heart of the action.
Being a Games Maker will be challenging but the rewards are life-long. London 2012 want the best team players to apply, people who show the same qualities as us athletes – dedication, focus, grace under pressure, adaptability, responsibility and pride in their endeavours.
As a Paralympian, I have always noticed the pride the volunteers take in helping athletes and coaches with all the small details of living and competing away from home. It is really important if you are preparing to go out and perform at your best that you are free to concentrate and focus on giving your best. The volunteer team makes sure that all of this is possible.
So, if you think you’ve got what it takes to make the London Games truly great, I’d urge you to visit www.london2012.com/volunteering, work out where you might make the biggest difference and apply!
I would like to thank everyone that does take the time to apply, it is only through those who do get involved and give their personal best that London 2012 will be a success for everyone. Good luck and go for it!”
