The Volunteer Experience: Gavin Cruickshanks

 

Name: Gavin Cruickshanks
Role: Athlete Services Team Member
Area: Sport
No. of Days Volunteered: 28
Current Location: Dundee/Grove Menzieshill HC

Tell us about your role at the hockey venue at the Olympics Games in London?

“The role of Athlete Services had around eight different parts to each shift to ensure we were providing a service for the athletes and coaches. We were also able to watch some hockey due to the positioning of some of the tasks. I believe that my role was one of the best as there was the thrill of working alongside the athletes and coaches of the competing nations along with watching hockey from either the video tower (while we were looking after the coaches and videographers) or from the same sport athlete seating area (while ensuring the athletes weren’t being hassled for their autographs by eager spectators). Other areas of my role were to meet and greet the teams as they arrived/departed the venue and we would guard their changing rooms while they were on the pitch. One less exciting part of the role was standing at a gate checking accreditation for access to the players’ area. Luckily within our team we had a rotation system so that nobody was on any area for longer than an hour of each 8/9 hour shift. I loved every minute of my time in London and would do it all again in a minute if offered.

What previous experience did you have before the Olympics and how do you think it helped you to get selected as a volunteer? How did the experience compare to the other voluntary roles you do here in Scotland?

Since 2008 I have been involved with the Scottish Hockey Youth Panel. I was invited to join this after volunteering at local hockey events along with the national primary festival. I have been committed to volunteering since this having been given several amazing opportunities to volunteer for hockey. These include spending a weekend helping with admin duties at England Hockey Futures Cup (similar to our under 18 inter-district weekend) and also being part of the 2010 Monchengladbach World Youth Hockey Promoters festival. This event was run alongside the Men’s Champions Trophy (which we received free entry for). At the festival we learned how to promote hockey in our nation by sharing ideas with youth promoters from another 21 nations. I currently coach as a volunteer for Midland district, along with several voluntary duties for Grove Menzieshill Hockey Club (including treasurer, umpire and coach).

How did your experiences compare to your expectations before you started your role?

“Due to my role, I was fortunate enough to be able to watch a number of hockey matches. I also received a special ‘volunteer’ ticket to watch the final dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony which had a terrific atmosphere. It was a truly mind-blowing experience and very difficult to not share what we had witnessed with others so not to ‘spoil the surprise’ which would be unveiled to billions four days later!

A general air of positivity pervaded everything and everywhere. London had a real buzz. Complete strangers talked to me on the tube, keen to discuss the latest news, medal tallies and finding out what I was doing. It seemed that London embraced the volunteers to ensure that they felt as if they were at home being very comfortable in their city and boroughs. The whole experience more than exceeded my expectations, I never went into it with the aim to see as much hockey as possible, I went into it with the purpose of wanting to help deliver the Olympic Games to the world and meet some fantastic new friends. ”

What are your expectations for the volunteers who will be working at the hockey venue during the Commonwealth Games and how you think it will compare to the Olympics?

During the Commonwealth Games, I would hope the volunteers would have the same enthusiasm generated by one another to ensure that they enjoy every minute of the experience of helping their Country provide a spectacle sporting event. The new venue at Glasgow Green has a fantastic opportunity to have a lasting impact on the future of hockey in the country. It will  no doubt go on to encourage and drive others to succeed with hockey whether it be through volunteering or through having an aim to play on the turf used at the Commonwealth Games. It is now the Scots chance to show anything London can do we can do just as well (and if not better by learning from the minimal mistakes which occurred at the Olympics).

If you are interested in volunteering for Glasgow 2014 please apply here.

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