Volunteers needed for the tennis competition!
This year the University of Bath will open its fantastic sporting facilities and accommodation to host the Special Olympics National Summer Games from Wednesday 28th August when the official Opening Ceremony will take place to Sunday 1st September when the Games will close.
The Games will bring together over 2000 athletes with learning disabilities from 18 UK regions competing in 12 sports. As with all Olympic events, the Games are held every 4 years, the last being in Leicester in 2007. Many athletes who compete at these Games will have the opportunity to be selected to represent Great Britain in future Special Olympics European and World Games.
So the gauntlet is being thrown down to every tennis enthusiast in Bath and surrounding areas to play a major role in making these Games the best ever.
The tennis event will be held on 4 of the indoor courts at the university from Thursday 29th August to Saturday 31st August. All matches will have an ABTO qualified umpire but we are looking for enthusiastic volunteers with an interest in tennis, to be Court Supervisors. This will involve the following:
- Escort players on to the correct court from the court holding area
- Assist players to be ready to serve or receive
- Ensure that the court is clear of any tennis balls prior to the start of each point
- Ensure players take a break at the change of ends and take on fluids when needed (for players who may not have a coach on court with them)
- Change the scoreboard at the change of ends
- Escort players from the court back to the court holding area when match is complete
Court Supervisors will need a CRB Disclosure which is free of charge and register with Special Olympics Great Britain as a volunteer. These forms will be sent to you to complete. For those who haven’t worked with people with a learning disability, you will be provided with literature about disability awareness & learning disability tennis. Each volunteer will also receive a free t-shirt and lunch & drinks each day.
With the Tennis Foundations Disability Strategy published in 2012, many places to play venues across the UK are including disability tennis into their programmes. Be a part of this exciting venture that enables everyone to enjoy the game we love so much. Without the help of willing volunteers, many of the athletes would not be able to compete, so your support is vital for them.
If you are able to volunteer some time and be part of this event, please email Lesley Whitehead on lbw.44@ntlworld.com or call 07590 901678 by Friday 1st March 2013.