VOLUNTEER FOR THE LONDON 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES
31st July 2010
London 2012’s Games Maker Programme has now officially launched , although applicants for the majority of roles - generalists - will not be able to apply until 15 September.
Volunteering at the London 2012 Paralympic Games will be a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for members of the fencing community.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will recruit volunteers from across the UK – from a range of communities and backgrounds. The selection process will be transparent, open and fair
Should you be selected as a volunteer, you will be at the heart of the Games, representing the UK and delivering services that are essential for a successful and inspirational event. You will have the opportunity to use and develop your skills and play a key role in one of the largest and most memorable events ever to be held in the UK
Volunteer roles:
Volunteers will be needed to help put on a truly memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games. There will be two kinds of Games delivery volunteer – specialist and generalist
Specialist volunteers will have specific existing skills or qualifications that are needed for them to complete the role – for example, sport or medical training.
Generalist volunteers will not need any special skills or qualifications and will receive all the necessary training. They might be given roles in areas such as spectator services, Olympic and Paralympic Village operations or uniform distribution.
Specialist opportunities in fencing are likely to include:
Access control and marshals
Anti-doping chaperones
Attendants in lounges (athletes, FIE, referees & technical officials)
Call room team (assisting athletes with final preparation, & escorting to piste)
Commentators
Data entry & TV graphics assistants
Floor managers & assistants: competition hall, 2 warm-up halls and training hall
Liaison with athletes, FIE & technical officials
Piste assistants
Press operations assistants
Public scoreboard operators
Scoring operators
Secretariat assistants
Liaison Officer
Sport information desk
Video-camera operators
Weapon control: armourers and receptionists
Who can volunteer?
LOCOG aims to recruit volunteers who will bring passion, enthusiasm and energy to the Games, and who meet the following key criteria:
Be 18 years old by 1 January 2012.
Be available to volunteer for a minimum of 10 days at either, or both, of the Games.
Be eligible to volunteer in the UK according to UK immigration laws. In other words:
Have the right to live and work permanently in the UK; or
Hold a valid passport or identity card from any country in the European Economic Area; or
Be in the UK or coming to the UK to work in accordance with the UK Points Based System; or
Be in the UK for another reason with a permission to remain in the UK that allows you to work as a volunteer; or
Be providing specialist sports specific skills at the Games or have extensive previous Games experience and can meet the requirements for a sports visitor visa.
Be able to attend a minimum of three training sessions prior to the Games.
Agree to, and pass, certain security and background checks.
Applicants for specialist sport volunteer roles must additionally be available for the Test Event in their chosen sport. (The Test Event for fencing will be at ExCeL on 26-27 November 2011.)
Why volunteer?
The main benefit of volunteering is the chance to play an integral role in one of the most exciting events ever seen in the UK.
The Games will provide a unique and inspirational setting for volunteers to gain experience and develop their skills.
Please note that:
London 2012 will provide volunteers with free meals during their shifts.
Each volunteer will be given an official uniform to wear and will have the opportunity to keep their uniform as a souvenir of their experience and contribution to the Games.
Volunteer travel arrangements are still being planned. Details of these will follow shortly.
Accommodation will not be provided.
Key Dates of the volunteer recruitment process
Summer 2010 London 2012’s official Volunteer Programme launches. All applicants will be required to complete an application form.
November 2010 LOCOG will commence inviting short-listed applicants to a selection event.
January 2011- February 2012 Selection events take place where all invited applicants will be interviewed.
October 2011 Offers will begin to be sent out to successful applicants.
November 2011 Test event at ExCeL
February 2012 Orientation training takes place.
March 2012 Role-specific training begins.
April 2012 Distribution of uniforms and accreditation passes commences.
June 2012 Venue training begins.
How to apply:
To assist LOCOG with its recruitment, we are asking our members who are interested in applying for the specialist sport roles, and who meet the above criteria, to send an email to British Disabled Fencing Association: info@bdfa.org.uk Your email should request a London 2012 volunteer information pack, and should state clearly your name and confirmation number and have "Games Maker" in the subject header. We will then send you instructions for online application and the relevant code for specialist volunteers for fencing.
Every applicant will be expected to go through the full LOCOG recruitment process, which will include completing an application form and attending selection and training events.
Please note: members who are interested in applying for any other specialist roles (such as within Medical Services or Press Operations) or generalist volunteer opportunities need not register their interest directly with us.
Visit london2012.com/volunteering for
more information on the Games-time Volunteer Programme, and details of
other ways to volunteer in your local community now.
LONDON 2012 – FENCING MANAGER’S UPDATE
In January 2010 I took up my role as Fencing Manager for London 2012, working for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games & Paralympic Games (known as LOCOG), based in Canary Wharf, East London. In the run-up to London 2012 I’ll be keeping everyone informed through regular updates on the websites of British Fencing, British Veterans Fencing and the British Disabled Fencing Association. I will also be producing a series of articles in the Sword.
Ticketing
From 22 March 2010 people can register their interest by clicking the link below and then indicating which sports they are interested in. They will then receive updates on major sporting events, test events and London 2012 developments – plus they will be among the first to find out when tickets go on sale in 2011 and how to apply for them.
Volunteering
Volunteers will be recruited from across the UK, and must be 18 years of age by 1 January 2012. The official London 2012 Games-time Volunteer Programme launches this summer, when the application process will open. In the meantime, however, you can register your interest to be a volunteer via the Volunteering page of the London 2012 website (www.london2012.com), and receive email updates.
Further information
Further information on how to get involved will be included in the April edition of the Sword, along with details of the various events, dates and locations.
Hilary Philbin
Wheelchair fencing has been a Paralympic sport since Rome in 1960.
Great Britain has been represented at every paralympic games with notable sucess.
Some highlights of this rich international history include:
- 1992 Barcelona -
- Mens Sabre (Bronze)
- 1988 Seoul -
- Womens Epee (Gold & Bronze)
- Mens Sabre (Bronze)
- 1984 Stoke Madeville & Long Island -
- Mens Foil (Bronze)
- Mens Foil Team (Bronze)
- Mens Sabre Team (Bronze)
- 1968 Tel Aviv -
- Womens Foil Team (Gold)
- Womens Foil (Bronze)
- Mens Foil Team (Bronze)
- Mens Epee Team (Bronze)
- 1964 Tokyo -
- Mens Foil (Gold)
- Mens Epee Team (Bronze)
- Womens Foil team (Silver)