Reflections of 2007 – Volunteering at the under 23 champs

The bar was raised once again in 2007 at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships. Going into its third year as a championship event, Strathclyde, Scotland (GBR) hosted the biggest under 23 world event ever with more than 700 athletes participating from 52 nations.

Italy rowed to win the prestigious award, the Paolo d’Aloja Challenge Cup. This cup goes to the top country overall and Italy’s win ended Germany’s 15 year grasp on the Cup. The Paolo d’Aloja has been in German hands since 1991, but Italy’s four gold medals at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships gave them the lead.

The tougher competition was matched and supported by a group of volunteers that helped make the regatta a success.  

Behind the scenes 220 dedicated and motivated volunteers were doing what regatta volunteers do throughout the world – working really, really hard simply for the love of rowing. At Strathclyde the volunteers were split into teams and assigned to various departments. Veteran rowing enthusiast Gordon Simpson was one of these dedicated volunteers. Simpson describes his role as part of the Liaison Team. 

The liaison group was made up of ten very enthusiastic veterans, all from one club and all highly experienced on the rowing scene. Their role was to look after the well-being of the visiting teams.

More than four months before the start of the World Rowing Under 23 Championships the liaison team manager was already busy starting the planning process, working out the answers to any questions that a visiting athlete, coach or supporter may ask. Transport timetables, maps, accommodation locations, distances from the venue to important destinations as well as sightseeing options were all researched and documented.  

During the event the Liaison Team dealt with accreditation, transport, orientation, medal ceremony, venue organisation, accommodation concerns and helping with tourist advice as well as the huge task of meeting and greeting visitors at all three airports.

“I do believe that we did indeed achieve 100 per cent satisfaction. Being rowing veterans, failure was not an option,” says Simpson. “We had a great time carrying out the many tasks, and made many a friend along the way. Did the volunteer army feel a sense of pride and achievement? Speaking for all, ‘sure we did’ and ‘yes,’ we would do it again.” 

At the end of the four days of racing Strathclyde handed the mantle to Brandenburg, Germany who will host this year’s World Rowing Under 23 Championships from 17 to 20 July.

 

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