Make your New Year’s resolution to volunteer in sport – the ball’s in your court!

Orkney will play host to the International Island Games in 2025 – the largest event ever to be held in the county – and a major part of its success will be a huge team of volunteers working behind the scenes to help make it happen.

Games Director, Kirsty Talbot, believes that now is the time to build on the volunteer capacity within sports clubs in the county to create a really solid foundation for the Games.

She said: “A thriving volunteer base and strong participation now will help sports deliver consistent long-term success and hopefully lead to representation on a national and world stage – including success at the 2025 Island Games.”

Gaining some experience in volunteering at clubs now may also give some the experience and confidence they feel they need to get involved in Orkney 2025.

Kirsty said: “All sports clubs have a huge reliance on volunteers to allow the day-to-day operation of these sports clubs to happen and it takes folk from all different types of skill sets to ensure they run smoothly.

“So even if you feel you may not be the best footballer or swimmer there are still great ways to get involved by offering perhaps your organisation skills, ability to transport folk or be moral support to our up-and-coming sport stars of the future.

“At Orkney 2025, we currently have a team of incredible (volunteer) Sport Competition Managers for the Games for our 13 sports and feel incredibly privileged to have this level of expertise available to us on island.

“Orkney 2025 will have a requirement for around 800 ‘Games-time’ volunteers to help the Games run smoothly. The roles will cover everything from meeting and greeting competitors from over 24 islands, to transport, to running a community hub and even through to supporting our sports during their competitions. Lots of exciting and varied opportunities and the recruitment for these roles will begin in 2024.

“But by undertaking a volunteering role with sports club now, it will not only be a welcome boost to clubs who have been appealing for assistance, but also gives people a good grounding of what is involved – and an understanding of the satisfaction of being part of community of volunteers and doing your bit for others and the wider community.”

She is confident that folk in the county will get involved to help to put Orkney and Scotland on the world stage for hosting an international multi-sport event.

“The sense of community in Orkney is immense and in my short time here I have seen how folk volunteering or coming together to help/support one another really can impact those who need it, and this applies to sport too.

“I help with the netball coaching at our local school allowing the children and young people to develop their skills and take their netball to the next level. I also volunteer for Orkney Zerowaste where I have recently become a trustee to support an area I am passionate about.

“I feel that this type of volunteering benefits the community first and individual second and I am delighted to be involved in both. It makes sure I am making a difference in any small way I can to areas I am passionate about.”

Kirsty would encourage others to “get involved”.

“Things are very busy here with folk taking on lots of extra volunteer and community roles as well as their day-to-day work or responsibilities, but even if you could spare one or two hours a week, it really would make a difference to a local sports club. If you have never done it before, it may be a good time to give it a try.”

Kirsty began in her current role in July 2022 and comes with a wealth of experience having worked in events for over 20 years.

“I have been lucky enough to work on some of the largest international sporting events in history (namely the London 2012 Opening and Closing Olympic and Paralympic Games, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2018 European Championships).

“This will be the largest event that Orkney has ever hosted, and it is our chance to showcase what a wonderful place it is to the 24 other member Islands from all across the world. It is a real privilege to be awarded the Island Games which will be the 20^th Games in 2025.

“It is a primarily a sporting event and it’s also a chance for thousands of people from islands across the world to explore new places and cultures, share unforgettable experiences and form lasting friendships. We hope our communities will get involved with everything from volunteering, to hosting competitors and officials and creating community hubs during the event across as many of our Islands as possible.”

Kirsty’s aspiration for the Games would be to deliver an incredible event that engages all communities (sporting and beyond) and that it remains an event that everyone has fond memories of for years to come. There’s also potential benefits post-Games too.

Kirsty explained: “Post Games, it is hoped that Orkney has a larger pool of athletes who both attend, and are competitive at, future Island Games. Ideally, all 13 sports hosted at the Games would record an increase in their active membership following the Games; that local facilities and skills of personnel involved in sports are improved in a manner which is directly attributable to funding secured by the Games.

“Our aim at Orkney 2025 is that 75% of the local community felt that hosting the Games was a benefit to Orkney and Scotland. We would hope that at least 15% of volunteers confirm they are likely to get involved in volunteering at another local event following the Games.”

The Orkney 2025 International Island Games will take place 12 – 18 July 2025. If you’d like more information then visit www.orkney2025.com or contact Kirsty and the team by email info@orkney2025.com

To read more from the sports clubs in Orkney appealing for volunteers head here: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=6822