:: press release ::

Thursday June 05, 2008

VOLUNTEERS IMPORTANT TO SUCCESSFUL GAMES SAYS ROSS 
 

East Antrim DUP MLA Alastair Ross has welcomed the statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly this morning from Sports Minister Edwin Poots and said that volunteering is a massive component of any successful Games.  
 

Minister Poots was outlining the Northern Ireland strategy for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.  
 

Commenting from Parliament Buildings Mr Ross said,  
 

“The London Olympics in 2012 presents a massive opportunity for Northern Ireland, not only in terms of increasing participation in sport, hosting training camps or actual events but also for local businesses who will have a vital role too.  
 

Having had some degree of experience in hosting significant sporting events through various sporting clubs I belong to, I recognise the hugely important part that volunteers play in hosting any sporting event or training camp. It is important that young people are encouraged to volunteer to help out either at local facilities or in London itself.  
 

I would not imagine that there will be any problem in filling the number of required volunteering posts, and it is therefore important that those people from Northern Ireland who want to get involved in the Games have the opportunity to do so.  
 

The Minister’s statement this morning is to be welcomed as is his commitment to make every effort to ensure that volunteers from Northern Ireland can get to London and receive the support they need, administratively and financially, once there. This will require huge efforts over the coming months and will need private sector involvement too.  
 

It is important that Northern Ireland fully utilises the opportunity that the Olympics will bring and I hope that we will realise the huge potential that exists.”