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Athletics NI Launch Volunteer Squad

17 November 2009 - 17 November 2009

Members of staff from Athletics Northern Ireland have taken part in the pilot for a new course being run by the Volunteer Development Agency – Creating Volunteering Champions.


The course encourages sports organisations and businesses to create a system to welcome and retain volunteers, who all sports rely on greatly.

Creating Volunteering Champions (officially launched on 29th October) has been granted the Inspire Mark, which recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are genuinely inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Athletics NI aim to utilise the experience from the course to attract people in to Athletics, who will hopefully then go on to train as officials or coaches, or continue to be involved with helping the staff at events/in pre-event preparation.

Following on from the course, Athletics NI formed a Volunteer Squad, in which anyone aged 14 or over can register as a member. Registration takes a few minutes to complete, and includes the free processing of an Access NI check (and ISA registration from July 2010) if you have not had one done by Athletics NI within the past 3 years.

Once volunteers are registered they will be added to a special database, and will then automatically be invited to apply for volunteer positions at events such as the IAAF Antrim International Cross Country, Irish Indoor Athletics Championships (Odyssey Arena), Titanic Quarter 10k and various NI & Ulster Championships throughout the year.

Benefits of registration include a welcome pack, free/discounted tickets to events, discounts on Athletics NI merchandise (when bought through the Athletics NI e-shop from 1st Jan 2010), event merchandise and goody bags where available, free/discounted access to training courses, plus more special offers throughout the year.

It is also a fantastic way to get experience for your CV, and reference letters will be given to all volunteers after each event or, if volunteering regularly, upon request.

To get your registration pack telephone Jenni Robinson on 028 9060 6960 or email jenni@niathletics.org – APPLICATIONS CAN TAKE 6 WEEKS TO CLEAR DUE TO THE ACCESS NI CHECK SO APPLY NOW TO BE INCLUDED IN RECRUITMENT FOR ANTRIM AND THE ODYSSEY!

[Pictured: Jenni Robinson (Athletics NI) and Mark Hurley (IFA) help to launch the Creating Volunteering Champions course alongside DCAL minister Nelson McCausland and Wendy Osborne OBE, Director of the Volunteer Development Agency]