Goalball, a sport developed for the blind or partially sighted, is bringing its ninth World Championships to Sheffield in June and young people volunteering at the event will be on the fast track to London 2012. The event is being supported by Sheffield City Council's Major Sports Events Unit and UK Sport.
Twenty 16-18 year olds from Barnsley College, Wickersley School and Sports College, and the London 2012 Inspire Marked project Sheffield Academy of Young Leaders in Sport (SAYLS), are being trained as goal judges by Clive Spencer IBSA Goalball European Representative. Various training sessions have been run in the lead up to the World Championships to ensure the volunteers are in top form.
The young people will have the chance to develop their skills and experience, as well as make contacts with the officials who will be running the London 2012 Games's Goalball competition. This gives them a better opportunity than most when it comes to volunteers and staff being recruited to work on the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
John Timms, Event Director for the Goalball World Championships, said: "The tournament is in the UK because of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
"It is the last World Championships before the Games so it is a great chance to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sheffield is directly benefitting from events such as these because of our first class venues and vast knowledge of how to run a tournament.
"For those taking part on the non-playing side it will provide valuable experience and skills that may lead to involvement in London during the Goalball competition."
The SAYLS Programme is part of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises projects and events inspired by London 2012.
The volunteer recruitment has been supported by Sheffield City Council's Disability Development Officer, Matthew Elkington, and South Yorkshire's Federation of Disability Sport Organisations, Michelle Dent.
Michelle Dent, from the Federation of Disability Sport Organisations, said: "Opportunities to take part in a World Championship are few and far between, never mind a Paralympic Games.
"The World Goalball Championship is a huge event in itself. But to be able to learn skills at such a prestigious tournament which could then lead to volunteering in 2012 is priceless."
Sheffield City Council in partnership with organisations from across the city region are working together as part of the Sheffield Lighting the Flame Partnership to ensure that South Yorkshire benefits from London hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. Encouraging local people to take part in volunteering is a key strand of the work.
Cllr Roger Davison Sheffield City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism said: "As part of Sheffield's plans to make the most of London 2012, we want to create lots of opportunities for local people to get involved. Attracting sporting events such as the World Goalball Championships to the city is directly linked to London hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
"The Goalball event has enabled us to create lots volunteering opportunities for the people of Sheffield, which in turn ensures they have the training and experience needed to apply to be volunteers at the London 2012 Games."
The World Goalball Championship tournament will take place at the SIV managed English Institute of Sport Sheffield between June 20-25 and for more information visit www.worldgoalball2010.com.