Thursday 22 October 2015
Volunteering is once again at the fore in Glasgow, with the 2015 FIG World Gymnastics Championships about to get underway on Friday (23 October).
An army of 450 volunteers have been recruited to be at the heart of the Championships, which is one of the biggest sporting events to be staged in the UK this year. Last weekend saw them complete their training, collect their uniform and take up their positions, as nearly 594 gymnasts from 87 countries started arriving in the city to the famous Glasgow welcome.
The volunteers will fulfil a number of roles across event operations, media and communications and competition management, as well as being the face of the city during the event, which take place at the SSE Hydro between 23 October and 1 November.
The recruitment drive was over-subscribed with almost 1,700 applications and it builds on the success of the Clyde-sider and Host City Volunteer programmes at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, which saw 16,500 volunteers recruited.
The 450 World Gymnastics Championships volunteers come from every corner of Scotland and from away as far as Hong Kong and Australia.
The volunteers and other event staff have all been provided with a contemporary look uniform provided by the FIG Partner and Championships Official Sportswear Partner Mizuno. More than 4000 items including polo shirts, hoodies, rain jackets and trousers in a stylish black and grey design have been issued to the workforce along with a handy backpack.
Councillor Frank McAveety, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Our army of volunteers will be at the heart of the event, carrying out a range of functions and being the face of our great city. They will gain invaluable experience and skills that will no doubt act as a springboard to further opportunities in life – a lasting legacy from the event.
“We were overwhelmed by the public response for volunteers with applications coming from all across the globe. Glasgow has a fantastic record when it comes to volunteering and they are now up and running and starting to play a key role in what will be the biggest ever World Gymnastics Championships.”
Excited to be part of it Glasgow’s Heather Sturdy said: “I have been involved in gymnastics for over 15 years first as a gymnast and now as a coach. Gymnastics is my life and I love getting involved and helping out volunteering.”
Moira Bryan from Paisley, who will be working as part of the accommodation team added: “I was involved last year in the Commonwealth Games and I loved it so much I saw this as another opportunity to help the city. Events like these are great for Glasgow and great for Scotland!”
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