Headlines
Amy with the 20 other Regional Ambassadors
Leadership Academy Student Attends BCS National Championships
17th May 2010
A few weeks ago, I was asked if I would like to apply to become a British Colleges Sport’s (BCS) Regional Ambassador. This opportunity was available to students at Hereford Sixth Form College who have been actively involved in volunteering and are part of the Hereford Sixth Form College Leadership Academy. I was fortunate enough to be selected as one of three Regional Ambassadors for the West Midlands. The role entailed travelling to Loughborough University along with 20 other Regional Ambassadors from across the Country to help with the running of the BCS National Championships. We worked alongside the 10 National Ambassadors who acted as our mentors as well as the BCS staff and various sporting National Governing Bodies. Our role was to help with the behind-the-scenes organisation and running of the different sporting competitions on offer. The Championships lasted three days and I stayed with the other volunteers in the university accommodation.
On Friday I met the rest of the Ambassadors and we got to know each other through team-building tasks, a tour of Loughborough University and its sporting facilities, and a quick briefing. Once inducted, I spent the afternoon helping with the tennis competition which involved watching the best players in the country compete, keeping track of the scores and winners and ensuring these were relayed to the correct BCS staff. When all the competitions had finished for day one, we had to help set up the opening ceremony, where everyone involved in the BCS competition was invited to the Championships and congratulated on being part of this prestigious event.
Competitors, staff and Ambassadors watched sports demonstrations and performances, including fastnet, a number of high-flying gymnastic routines and (my personal favourite) a freestyle show from Billy Wingrove, a footballer signed to Tottenham. As Ambassadors it was our job to set up the stage for the performances, and direct each region to their seats, as well as making sure it all ran smoothly.
On day two, I travelled to Leicester University and assisted with the 5-a-side football competition. This involved planning out the playing schedules for when each team would compete and making sure each referee knew what they were doing; this was to ensure the competition ran smoothly and that we were finished by 6pm, in time to return to Loughborough University for the Day One Closing Ceremony. Preparations for the Closing Ceremony were again carried out by the Ambassadors, with medals placed in the correct order to ensure a smooth presentation as well as chairs set out ready and competitors made aware of the proceedings. The regional ambassadors then attended a feedback session to discuss the day’s events and prepare for the following full day of competitions.
On Sunday I travelled back to Leicester University to finish off the 5 a-side football competition, where I had to calculate the runner-up and winning teams. I was also asked to nominate which team should win the fair play award. Once back at Loughborough it was my responsibility to ensure these results and the winning team’s names were passed on to the BCS Staff ready for the Closing Ceremony. My final role was to help set up the closing ceremony, where everyone collected their trophies and got their photos professionally taken.
I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and found it really beneficial as well as great fun! It enabled me to work better in a team, and allowed me to gain an insight into how much preparation and effort is required to run a big competition. The next step I want to take in my capacity as a volunteer is to apply to become a National Ambassador.
