Winter Games calls for volunteers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 380, 2 April 1991, Page 5

Winter Games calls for volunteers

There were 25,000 in Los Angeles in 1984, 12,000 in Calgary, 30,000 in Seoul and there will be 7,000 volunteers in Albertville (France) for the 1992 Winter Olympics. "It would not be possible to organise and run the Olympic games without volunteers, and similarly it will not be possjble to organise and run the New Zealand Winter Games without a team of local Volunteers," said organiser Andreas Hefti. "Ohakune and the Ruapehu region must prove itself capable of organising and running such events as the Winter Games," said Mr Hefti at the last Winter Games meeting. "The Games will bring thousands of competitors and visitors to the region during the three weeks from 15 September to 5 October this year," he said. "The region is already uniting with the formation of various groups and committees- known as TEAM '91- which is bringing people to-

gether and this represents a genuine community challenge and involvement to ensure its success," he said. The NZ Winter Games Organising Committee has set up an original strategy for the recruitment of local volunteers. Training will start on a general basis with basic knowledge of the Winter Games, the Ruapehu region and the various venues and sites. Specific training will follow depending on the sector to which the volunteer has been allocated. "It is important for everyone in the Ohakune and the Mt. Ruapehu region - Taumarunui, Turangi, National Park,

Raetihi and Waiouru- to make a real effort to give a warm welcome to all competitors and visitors", said Mr Hefti. He invites anyone who may be interested in becoming a volunteer to drop in to the New Zealand Winter Games Head Office. The various sectors which require volunteers include: ski race events, snowboarding, ski freestyle, ski masters, badminton, basketball, netball, golf, hockey, rugby, soccer, cycling, mountain bike racing, triathlon , multisports challenges, swimming, volleyball, snooker and 8-ball events, darts fun runs, rollerblading, social and entertainment events.