By Tamsin Fidgeon

I always loved sport at school and was pretty good at it too. Unfortunately as the years go by it gets harder and harder to find the time and resources to pursue all the fantastic opportunities I took for granted at school.

When London won the Olympic bid for 2012, however, my interest in sport was reignited. Although I'm unlikely to be able to get in shape in time for the Women's Olympic Hockey Team try-outs, there are plenty of other ways to get involved.

On your marks...

The 2012 Olympics in London are expected to involve up to 70,000 volunteers from around the UK and across the world – it will be a great chance to learn new skills and gain experience at a global event.

Volunteering is likely to be over-subscribed, so, to help people get involved now, and improve their chances of selection in 2012, the Pre Volunteer Programme (PVP) has been set up.

The PVP originated in the Midlands where it was developed for the 17^th Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. Its aim was to raise the profile of volunteering among low-income or disadvantaged people and those furthest away from the labour market, and to use volunteering as a recognised means of improving skills, knowledge and experience.

All the sporting action

The PVP is an accredited training course providing units towards a Nationally Accredited Qualification (NVQ) in Generic Volunteering Level 1 (includes units such as customer service, health and safety, and equality and diversity). Volunteers are placed with local sports clubs, leisure centres, youth groups and community organisations. Each volunteer has their own support network of mentors and volunteer coordinators who maintain regular contact. The placement is organised so as to build on the volunteer's educational achievements and employability skills.

Most volunteer programmes offer four areas where volunteers can get involved – coaching, running the sports club, marketing and promotions, and sports events and development days.

Coaching activities can include:

• Observing best practice in organising safe activities;
• Observing and developing warm-up, cool-down and sports skills sessions;
• Organising and refereering a game or activity,

This can all take place under the supervision and guidance of the main coach if required.

Running a sports club can include:

• Organising an event or activity;
• General sports club administration;
• Attending meetings and taking minutes.

Marketing and promotion can include:

• Designing and helping to produce web pages, posters, leaflets and programmes;
• Designing club merchandise;
• Writing an article for the local newspaper promoting the club.

Sports events/Development Days can include:

• Stewarding;
• Leading groups;
• Administration;
• Assistant coaching.

London calling

Recruitment for Olympic volunteers doesn't start until 2010, but registering your interest now could boost your chances of being picked when the time comes.

Volunteers will be chosen according to their individual skills and previous volunteering experience, so getting active now will improve your chances of selection.

Choose your sport

As well as searching the do-it.org.uk database for volunteering opportunities, you can contact a local club or governing body to find out what's available. Even if you have no previous experience or knowledge of the particular sport, there should still be opportunities for you to get involved.

Links to the governing bodies (either for England or the UK) for the summer Olympic sports are listed below:

• Archery;
• Athletics;
• Badminton;
• Basketball;
• Boxing;
• Canoeing / Kayaking;
• Cycling;
• Diving;
• Equestrian;
• Fencing;
• Football;
• Gymnastics;
• Handball;
• Hockey;
• Judo;
• Modern Pentathlon;
• Rowing;
• Sailing;
• Shooting;
• Swimming;
• Synchronised swimming;
• Table Tennis;
• Tae Kwon Do;
• Tennis;
• Triathlon;
• Volleyball;
• Water Polo;
• Weightlifting;
• Wrestling.

You can find more links from Sport England.

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