University's Olympic volunteering programme biggest in country

Date: 05/05/2012. Story submitted by: SuzanneRutter

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Sheffield Hallam University is providing more student volunteers for the London 2012 Olympic Games than any other UK university.
More than 200 students from the university’s sports development with coaching, sport event management and journalism courses will be attending the games thanks to its partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
Lecturers from Sheffield Hallam’s Academy of Sport and Physical Activity worked with LOCOG's press operations team to create unique academic modules designed to prepare students for work in elite sports events. Students taking the modules are given the opportunity to work with LOCOG on Olympic test events as well as supporting LOCOG's press operations team in the Olympic media centre and across all major competition venues.
The programme has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark in recognition of the education and participation opportunities it provides.
Paul Deighton, chief executive of LOCOG, said: "This is the most significant partnership we have with any educational institution in the country by a long way. It's fantastic for us because we get terrific people, who are highly motivated and very well trained.”
Student Matt Dixon, 22, is already working with LOCOG on a six week placement and will be working in the Aquatics Centre throughout the games.
He said: "I'm really enjoying working with LOCOG's press operations team. It's a completely new experience for me to work with such a high-profile organisation. I'm learning lots of skills from the team here, and it's incredible to be a part of London 2012 through my university course.
" During the games I'll be working as a volunteer in the mixed zone in the Aquatics Centre, where journalists interview athletes after events, so it's a really important role and I'm looking forward to working so closely with athletes and the media."
And nine students from Sheffield Hallam University have been selected by LOCOG to support the Olympic Torch Relay on its journey through the country.
The sport students will travel with the Olympic Torch Relay team for the full 70 day journey, helping to co-ordinate the relay from one overnight destination to the next.
The Olympic Torch Relay will be hosted in Sheffield by former Blue Peter presenter and Sheffield Hallam media studies graduate Andy Akinwolere.
The university also has three Torchbearers of its own, helping the Torch make its journey through the city.
Student Stephen Birkby, Hallam Union sports officer Colan Leung and head of sport services at Sheffield Hallam, Dan Porter, were all selected by the university to be official Olympic Torchbearers as part of Samsung’s nomination programme for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

Additional info

Address: City Campus, Howard Street Sheffield South Yorkshire S1 1WB

Tags: Sheffield Hallam University; LOCOG; Olympic and Paralympic Games