I recently attended a London 2012 feedback day at the Sir Chris Hoy Veledrome in Glasgow. The day was run by “The wave of friendship” and “Volunteer Development Scotland” who provide volunteer bursaries for those in Scotland. Over 40 volunteers attended the conference which was aimed to help and influence the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. The Commonwealth Games is to be one of the greatest sporting events to ever take place in Scotland and they are recruiting 15,000 volunteers in order to help the event run smoothly. The Games makers of London 2012 have had brilliant publicity and the athletes and organisers have said on countless occasions that “The Games makers made the games” and this is the legacy that has been left for Glasgow to aspire to and create. Glasgow 2014 begin recruiting in mid-January, in order to volunteer you must be 16 or over on the date of application.
I recommend volunteering more than anything, by reading the following report you will see all the benefits it has given me. Not only does it enhance your CV but it also gives you the skills to take you further in life.
My London 2012 Olympic Experience - Rachel Barr (18) Lanark and UpperwardPony Club
Throughout my Pony Club career I have always aspired to those who worked hard in order to achieve their dreams. In my mind the whole of the Great Britain Olympic team – no matter the sport, deserve their own individual recognition and success due to the hours, days, and years of work they have put into their sport in order to reach that one ultimate goal of competing at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity of volunteering at the London 2012 Olympics as a Young Games Maker. The British Pony Club offered this to members who were aged between 16 and 18; our role would involve stewarding of crossing points on cross country day of the 3 day eventing at Greenwich Park. There were certain criteria that had to be met in order to be eligible for this role. You must have gained your “B” riding and horse care test, you must have also competed up to intermediate level and show that you are an active member of your branch competing in all disciplines within pony club and representing your club in a mature and responsible manner.
I received confirmation of my successful application in mid-January. From Hundreds of applications, I was one of only two from Scotland chosen. The Pony Club selected 40 Young games makers and 8 Games makers from all over Britain. We were then put into groups of 10 people and allocated a Games Maker who would be responsible for collecting our contact and medical details.
In order to be able to volunteer atthe Olympics we had to attend training days in London. Our first was on the 6th of July, this involved meeting many other young games makers and watching a film of what is expected of us; such as politeness and smiling. It also outlined some of the responsibilities we would hold and who to ask if we were ever confused or didn’t know what to do. We also had the opportunity of receiving a talk from the Paralympic swimmer Giles Long. He gave us an insight into his life and the struggles he had to overcome in order to achieve his Olympic gold medals and being awarded an MBE. At the end we all got the chance to ask him questions, it was a very valuable experience.
We then travelled across London to West Ham to collect our Games Maker kit. We got our pictures taken for our all-important accreditation which we had to have with us at all times. Our kit consisted of; 2 Pairs of cream coloured trousers, 2 purple and red polo tops, a mac shower proof jacket, a pair of trainers, a bag that had an umbrella, water bottle, cap and a swatch watch. The kit cannot be bought so was very personal to all volunteers as we get to keep it all.
We then had a second day of training on the 16th July which was venue specific training at Greenwich Park. We received a talk from the event organiser Tim Hadaway and also Chris Shaw who was responsible for the volunteers and crossing points. We then got a tour of the venue and were told the plans for the actual event. We managed to get our bearings of the venue which madeit easier for our final training day. We returned again on 26th July, wearing our uniform which was mandatory. Every one of us was allocated a crossing point. At most there were 2 Games makers and 2 Young Games makers, this depended on its location and how busy they thought it would be. All together there were 41 crossing points; I was situated at 25, this was right next to jump number 20 which was the Olympic drop to the skinny brush. Our crossing point was an extremely busy one as it had a gorgeous view of the city and also 3 jumps within the vicinity. We finished our shift around half 4 and decided we wanted to see a little more of the venue. We walked up to the main arena;It looks big on the television; however it is much more spectacular in real life. The height of the grand stand is mindboggling. At that point in time, the teams were walking the XC course and the teams from France, Switzerland, Ireland, and Great Britain walked past us, they were all very polite saying hello. It was the highlight of the day.
The Cross country day arrived and after dressage day 1 and 2 it was clear all the riders were hoping the track would be very influential. Our shift began at 8.30am, and as soon as we arrived we were all instructed to make our way to our crossing points. Even though the first rider did not start on course till 12.30 spectators began arriving at 9.00am to have a look at the venue and walk round parts of the course. It began to get busier and busier and the tension began to grow and when the first rider came on course the whole park erupted. The atmosphere was incredible and like nothing I have ever experienced before. At each fence there were two fence judges and two vets, along with spotters and stewards for walking home horses and riders. It was all extremely professional and very well organised in all sectors. Throughout the day we had many people asking us questions and looking for directions to jumps, it was a very busy but enjoyable day, I personally felt like I had a lot of responsibility which made me feel valued as a volunteer.
When Nicola Wilson; pathfinder for Team GB came on course, I have never heard noise like it. I got goose bumps from head to toe and weirdly got emotional. I thought to myself “If this is how I feel, how are the riders coping?” For every GB rider the same thing happened, people would run from one side of the park to the other and the cheers were unbelievable. It made me feel so proud to be British and honoured to be part of such an incredible event that was getting recognition worldwide.
From a young, up and coming rider’s point of view, this was an experience of a lifetime and to see the riders so close up and to watch how they ride their lines and approach difficult fences was extremely helpful. It not only gave me an insight into all the hard work it takes but also how horsemanship plays a huge part in creating a partnership with your horse.
Once all riders had completed the course the spectators began to disappear. I, along with my Games Maker Olivia Deane and fellow Young Games Maker Katie Bain then decided to walk the course, line by line, stride by stride. We began from the start box, every fence was beautifully build and decorated, the terrain of the park was used to its advantage and questions were placed in appropriate places and the jumps were very topical to London. The opportunity to walk the course was one we could not turn down as it is so important for young riders to get as much experience and knowledge of jumps and courses as it is what you rely on when you ride across country.
This experience is something I will never forget and I am so grateful to the British Pony Club for providing this opportunity to me, it has inspired me and given me so many amazing memories.