Published on:
04
March 2013
Clackmannanshire people are among the record breaking 50,811 who came forward to offer their services as part the volunteer force for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The numbers of would-be volunteers who applied by the Thursday midnight deadline have set a new Games record - higher than previous volunteer applications for both the Melbourne 2006 and Manchester 2002 Games - demonstrating the passion and enthusiasm felt for next year's Games in Glasgow.
Early indications show applications from the length and breadth of Scotland, including Clackmannanshire, as well as across the UK and internationally.
Education, Sport and Leisure Convener, Councillor Ellen Forson said: "We are absolutely thrilled at the response and the amount of people who have volunteered their services from Clackmannanshire to be part of what promises to be Scotland's Games next summer."
Glasgow 2014 is one of the first major sporting events to have an entry point of aged 16 at application and figures show that of applicants 18% are aged between16-18 and almost 40% are under the age of 25.
Organisers are absolutely delighted at the numbers and now begin the process of sifting and sorting applications to get to the interview stage. Early figures also show: 61% of applicants are female 39% are male, people from every local authority area in Scotland applied and 38% are aged between 16 - 25.
David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said: ""We are absolutely delighted with the numbers and want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign. We have received a record number of applicants and all those who have applied are already helping Glasgow 2014 make history. Scots are famed for being generous with their time and have a real heritage of volunteering and it's fantastic to see them along with people from across the UK and internationally come forward in such numbers to support their Games."
Valerie Mitchell, Head of Games Workforce at Glasgow 2014, said: "We are thrilled with the level of interest and to have such a great mix of people apply to be part of the Games. We are also really over the moon at the response from young people.
"Our next steps are to begin the hard task of sifting through all the applications and arranging interviews for people. With so many applications to process we will be inviting people to interview any time from April until December of this year.
"With these large numbers there will obviously be people who are not successful but there will be plenty more ways for them to get involved in the Games by getting their families along to venues, supporting the cultural programme and Queen's Baton Relay."
Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison said: "It is fantastic that so many people, from all over the UK and beyond, want to be at the heart of the Commonwealth Games, the biggest sporting and cultural event ever seen in Scotland. For those who need it, the £500,000 Legacy 2014 Volunteer Support Programme can help people in Scotland who face practical or financial barriers to making their volunteering dreams a reality, such as carers, people with a disability or people with additional childcare needs."