#VolunteersWeek: The importance of the World Cup Cricketeers

“Without volunteers, there would be no tournament!”

What greater praise for a volunteer? A record number will be recruited for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 next summer and there is still a chance to apply and play a vital role in delivering the world’s greatest cricket celebration!

Four-thousand 'World Cup Cricketeers' are needed across a variety of roles and locations across England and Wales, including Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Leeds, Southampton and Taunton. This builds on the immense success of the 1,500 who volunteered at the ICC Champions Trophy and ICC Women’s World Cup last year. Volunteers are the heart and soul of sporting events, creating a buzz and atmosphere on match days, welcoming supporters and giving advice to visitors of their towns and cities. The same is needed again for next year’s Cricket World Cup – could you be a part of it?

It’s not all one way benefit, volunteers gain from their efforts by learning new skills and valuable experience, which can help further their careers. Volunteers meet like-minded people who share their interests and ambitions, as well as the obvious benefits they give to grassroot sport, keeping it alive for future generations. To celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we asked current and former Cricketeers what volunteering means to them:

Hollie Stone has volunteered since 2011: “For anyone that wants to get into volunteering it’s a great sense of community and pride. Helping out on an event, you can gain so many friends, I have friends for life now! I’ll definitely be applying for the Cricket World Cup next year as a Cricketeer because my studies are based on events and I’d love to have something within that aspect.”

Rayhaan Hans has been a volunteer since 2013:*“*Working alongside professionals in their field and showing them what I was capable of means they could recommend me for jobs within their own companies or through people they know. Having a CV saying that you have volunteered at a major event is always more beneficial than not. Seeing the fans and knowing that they’ve had a good day and you’ve contributed to that is always quite rewarding for me.”

Gary Thorpewas part of the 2017 Cricketeer team: “Volunteering gives me the opportunity to meet people. My volunteering experiences have revolved around sporting events, and seeing how vital the role that volunteers play in making those events run smoothly. To feel part of a larger force, all working towards the same goal no matter what role you are given, is something almost indescribable.”

Future volunteer Elizabeth Mustardwill be delighted to turn 18 ahead of CWC19, for more than one reason: “I’m just old enough so it will be my first volunteering for a cricket tournament and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Head of Volunteers at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Mary Cahill, highlighted the importance of volunteers, not only to the upcoming tournament, but to the sport:

“We need 4,000 World Cup Cricketeers to help us deliver an event England, Wales and the world will never forget. Volunteers will play an integral role in this tournament, from welcoming spectators, assisting media and driving guests, to sharing messages with the world through social media. In short, we cannot do it without them – they will be the heart and soul of CWC19.

“Volunteers are so important to sport from grassroots to mass participation events and international tournaments. They give so much to sport and we aim to recognise and reward their commitment by delivering a unique, memorable and exciting programme for all World Cup Cricketeers.”

Applications to join the World Cup Cricketeers are open until 15 June, and you can apply to be part of the team here.