Sports injuries can be a very real problem for all athletes. If you are a sportsman or sportswoman, you have probably suffered from at least one of the following conditions at some time:

strains, sprains, tendinosis, bursitis, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, frozen shoulder, back pain, neck pain – the list goes on and on.

Chiropractic – particularly sports chiropractic – can be of enormous benefit in treating and preventing sports-related injuries and improving athletic performance, as many world-class athletes can attest.

STOP PRESS

Do you have what it takes to be a London 2012 Games delivery volunteer?

London 2012’s official Games-time Volunteer Programme will launch this summer.

Volunteering at the London 2012 Games will be a truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will recruit volunteers from across the UK – from a range of communities and backgrounds. The selection process will be transparent, open and fair.

Should you be selected as a Games delivery volunteer, you will be vitally important to the Games, representing the UK and delivering services that are essential for a successful and inspirational event. You will have the opportunity to use and develop your skills and play a key role in one of the largest and most unforgettable events ever to be held in the UK.

Volunteer roles:

Volunteers will be needed to help put on a truly memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games. There will be two kinds of Games delivery volunteer – specialist and generalist:

• Specialist volunteers will have specific existing skills or qualifications that are needed for them to complete the role – for example, sport or medical training.

• Generalist volunteers will not need any special skills or qualifications and will receive all the necessary training. They might be given roles in areas such as spectator services, Olympic and Paralympic Village operations or uniform distribution.

There are volunteer opportunities within Medical Services for Chiropractors.

Working within their scope of practice, chiropractors will use their knowledge, skills and experience to assess, treat and rehabilitate. The primary aim is to return athletes to the field of play safely and quickly, but it is also essential that volunteers understand the importance of working within a multidisciplinary team and refer to other members of the medical team when necessary. The team will include physiotherapists, osteopaths, sports massage practitioners, sports medicine doctors, radiologists and podiatrists.

The degree of expertise within the multidisciplinary team is very high. As a result, Chiropractors will mainly provide specific manipulative care as directed by this team.

Chiropractors will have a particular responsibility to see athletes who do not have their own national team medical staff and will also provide advice and support to national team medical staff.

Who can volunteer?

LOCOG aims to recruit volunteers who will bring passion, enthusiasm and energy to the Games. In addition, volunteers must:

• be 18 years old by 1 January 2012;
• be available to volunteer for a minimum of 10 days at either, or both, of the Games;
• be eligible to volunteer in the UK according to UK immigration laws;
• be able to attend a minimum of three training sessions prior to the Games; and
• agree to undergo, and pass, certain security and background checks.

Applicants for specialist sport volunteer roles must also be available for the Test Event in their chosen sport.

Chiropractors must also:

• be registered as a chiropractor with the General Chiropractic Council;
• have suitable professional liability insurance to a minimum of £5 million;
• have evidence of the appropriate continuing professional development in the context of working with athletes;
• have five years postgraduate clinical experience at the time of application (2012);
• hold a current basic first aid in sport or life support qualification;
• have experience of working in a multidisciplinary team;
• have three years full-time experience of working in sport and exercise or the musculoskeletal area, by 2012;
• have extensive experience of working with athletes both on the field of play and within the clinic;
• have sports-specific experience at international level;
• understand the needs of professional athletes;
• be an excellent team worker and good communicator; and
• have knowledge of the World Anti-Doping Agency policy.

Why volunteer?

The main benefit of volunteering is the chance to play an integral role in one of the most exciting events ever seen in the UK. The Games will provide a unique and inspirational setting for volunteers to gain experience and develop their skills.

Note that:

• London 2012 will provide volunteers with free meals during their shifts.
• Each volunteer will be given an official uniform to wear and will have the opportunity to keep their uniform as a souvenir of their experience and contribution to the Games.
• Volunteer travel arrangements are still being planned. Details of these will follow shortly.
• Accommodation will not be provided.

Key dates of the volunteer recruitment process

Summer 2010 London 2012’s official Volunteer Programme will launch. All applicants will be required to complete an application form.

November 2010 LOCOG will start inviting short-listed applicants to a selection event.

January 2011–February 2012 Selection events will take place where all invited applicants will be interviewed.

October 2011 LOCOG will start sending out offers to successful applicants.

February 2012 Orientation training will begin.

March 2012 Role-specific training will begin.

April 2012 Distribution of uniforms and accreditation passes will begin.

June 2012 Venue training will begin.

How to apply

If you are interested in volunteering as a Chiropractor, and you meet the above criteria, please register your interest with us now. Email your CV and a 100-word expression of interest to physicaltherapies@london2012.com

Every applicant will be expected to go through the full LOCOG recruitment process, which will include completing an application form and attending selection and training events.

For more information please contact us at physicaltherapies@london2012.com

Yours sincerely

Lynn Booth
Clinical Lead - Physical Therapies

Medical Services
London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games andParalympic Games.

Visit london2012.com/volunteering for more information on the Games-time Volunteer Programme, and details of other ways to volunteer in your local community now.