to make the Games happen!
The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has announced the start of the Young Games Maker (YGM) programme for 16-18 year olds, which will provide up to 2,000 volunteering opportunities for young people during the Games.
The programme will support LOCOG’s commitment to inspire young people to choose sport and leave a volunteering legacy. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young volunteers to be a part of the greatest show on earth.
The programme officially launches on 22 September, but LOCOG is inviting organisations who are able to provide a team of young volunteers (and team leaders) to apply for specialist roles via BTTF from 1 September.
Young volunteers will be vital to the Games, representing the UK and delivering services that are essential for a successful and inspirational event.
Table Tennis YGM roles
If you would like to get involved on behalf of BTTF, you will need to provide a team consisting of team leaders and team members.
Chaperone team leader
Responsibilities and tasks include:
– duty of care and safeguarding the health and wellbeing of their young volunteers
– organise and motivate their volunteers and ensure their enthusiasm and commitment is maintained
– ensuring the YGMs travel to and from the agreed meeting point and arrive in time for their roles.
Preferred skills and experience:
– previous experience of organising and looking after a group of young people on a trip or event
– able to provide direction/guidance as required
– have a good relationship with the YGMs and their parents/guardians
Field of Play team member – ballboys and ballgirls
Responsibilities and tasks include:
– assist Olympic and Paralympic athletes within the Field of Play, collecting and returning the ball before and after each completed rally
– Collect balls within the Field of Play to ensure play is continual
– Participate fully as a Field of Play team member in other delivery tasks as requested
Preferred skills and experience:
– alert
– friendly and outgoing manner
– accurate and reliable performance of tasks
Key criteria
LOCOG aims to recruit Young Games Makers and team leaders who will bring passion, enthusiasm and energy to the Games. In addition teams must:
– comprise one team leader, one secondary team leader with three team members for the Olympic Games and one team leader, one secondary team leader with six team members for the Paralympic Games;
– be able to meet the time commitment for Games time and Test events where applicable; and
– be eligible to volunteer in the UK in accordance with UK immigration rules.
Young Game Makers must be at least 16 years old on 1 July 2012 and under 18 years old on 1 January 2012 to be eligible.
Team leaders must be aged 18 years old or over by the 1 January 2012 and must undergo – and pass – an enhanced CRB check. Team leaders will be required to undergo an interview and attend safeguarding training.
Key dates of the Young Games Maker recruitment process
25 July 2011 The London 2012 Young Games Maker programme is announced.
1st September 2011 Open YGM team applications
31st October 2011 Close YGM team applications
7th November 2011 Notify YGM team leaders and secondary team leaders who have been shortlisted and need to attend a LOCOG YGM team leader interview
Mid November 2011 YGM team leaders must have registered on The Exchange
By the 30th November YGM team leader provides their data, and the secondary team leader’s data, to LOCOG
5th or 6th of January 2011 YGM team leader/secondary team leader interviews take place. Offers to successful candidates will follow soon after.
3rd February 2011 YGM team leaders provide YGM data and parental consent forms to LOCOG.
February 2012 Orientation training begins
March 2012 Role-specific training begins
March 2012 Event leadership training begins
April 2012 Venue training begins
Late April 2012 Distribution of uniforms and accreditation passes begins
Why volunteer?
– The main benefit of volunteering is the chance to play an integral role in making the London 2012 Games happen, 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.
Note that:
– Volunteers will be provided with refreshments during their shifts.
– Each volunteer will be given a uniform to wear and keep as a souvenir of their experience and contribution to the test event.
– Organisations will need to provide their own transport for their team leaders and young volunteers to and from all applicable training events and test events.
– Team leaders and secondary team leaders will be responsible for ensuring the safety of their young volunteers at all times, including when travelling to and from the training or test event venue.
– Accommodation will not be provided.
How to apply
If you are interested in volunteering and can put a team together, please contact Tricia Whitaker [email protected] between 1 September and 31 October 2011.