As the build up to the Rugby World Cup in 2015 continues the organisers have made two major announcements this week. Elsewhere on the website you can read about the stadiums and ticket pricing, but another exciting opportunity to get involved has been announced.
Following in the wake of the highly successful volunteering culture created around the Manchester Commonwealth Games and 2012 London Olympics, RWC 2015 are seeking to re-create that feel good factor and team spirit. Volunteers are needed to make the tournament happen. All the roles are critical to the success of RWC 2015. It won’t be all glitz and glamour: you certainly won’t be disappointed but you won’t be pitch side either. You’ll be expected to roll your sleeves up and get stuck in.
The club are looking to reward members who have previously volunteered at the club in any capacity. The club can nominate two candidates plus one reserve so we will be putting in place an internal nomination process for assessing applicants from the club to be forward to RWC 2015. The chosen applicants will then go forward into an exciting programme of try outs and roadshows before final selection as a RWC 2015 Volunteer.
Volunteers can ask to take part in the whole tournament and be at Twickenham if they can meet their own transport and accommodation costs. Normally however, they will be based at Manchester for the pool game involving England at the Manchester City stadium on October 10th. The period of involvement in Manchester could be up to 10 days around that time.
Our Club has a proud tradition of Volunteering and this is an exciting opportunity for the club to acknowledge the contribution of those who currently help out and to encourage additional volunteers for the future well-being of the club. Volunteering here at the club involves not only coaching and refereeing but we also have a need for volunteer stewards at events such as bonfire night or people to help out on match day or help maintaining and improving the grounds on days like the Natwest Workforce day. For instance we have an immediate need for volunteers to help out at the upcoming North West Intermediate Leagues Cup Finals day being hosted by us on May 3rd.
We are specifically looking to form a volunteer’s group going forward led by a volunteer co-ordinator and a RWC 2015 club ambassador. Ideas we have, for instance, are a Friday afternoon working group doing maintenance work then retiring to the bar. We like to look after our volunteers by feeding and watering them and will look to provide a distinctive piece of club kit to recognise their contribution.
We need to start looking at the impact of RWC2015 and the potential legacy for the club and city of Preston. In selection of our nominated pair and reserve we will be looking to reward and acknowledge those that give their time freely to the club both in the past or are prepared to in the future.
If you would like to get involved more with volunteering at Hoppers and/or wish to be considered for the RWC Volunteer programme, please fill in the form below by April 5th.
