As part of Volunteers’ Week 2011 the University of Ulster is calling on all eager volunteers to help out at one of this summer’s biggest sporting events – the CPISRA Boccia World Cup.

The competition, which is Northern Ireland’s only qualifying event for either the Olympics or Paralympics in 2012, takes place at the University’s Jordanstown campus on 18-27 August.

Over 400 competitors and officials from 33 countries are coming to take part in what is the biggest Boccia competition ever held in the UK and volunteers are asked to sign up to help make this tournament one to remember.

Boccia, pronounced ‘botcha’, is a target ball sport from the same family as bowls and is a Paralympic sport for athletes with disabilities affecting motor skills.

Event Director, Ian O’Neill, encouraged all those wanting to volunteer in roles ranging from timekeepers and line judges, to administrative staff and interpreters to get involved.

He said: “We will need over 200 enthusiastic volunteers to help coordinate and help in the smooth running of what will be a tremendous competition. This is a tournament for elite athletes.”

“Each volunteer will make a unique contribution to the event, utilising their own skills and experiences, knowledge and ideas working as part of a supportive volunteer team.”

“Volunteers are required to be 18 years old or over (on 1 June 2011) and if you can spare some time before, during or after the event, there is a role, big or small for you.”

Information and application forms can be found online at http://www.sportsulster.com/boccia2011.php#volunteer. The closing date for applications has been extended until 8 July.

The Volunteer Week national campaign is promoted and co-ordinated in Northern Ireland by Volunteer Now.

George Gillespie, Community Engagement Officer, Volunteer Now said, “Volunteers’ Week is dedicated to celebrating the immense contribution that volunteers make to our local communities. It gives us the opportunity to shine the spotlight on volunteering and give it the recognition it deserves. This is an excellent opportunity to try something different and I would encourage people to volunteer and get involved.”

In attendance at the launch were representatives from leading business advisory firm Deloitte – official professional services provider to London 2012. Deloitte Belfast has selected Disability Sport NI as their charity for the year and will be providing over 100 volunteers for the event from their Belfast based staff.

More information may be obtained by contacting Alison Moffitt, by email on a.moffitt@ulster.ac.uk.