Organisers for the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds have officially launched the search for 750 volunteers, to help ensure the event - taking place on 11 and 12 June – is one of UK sporting highlights of the year.
The application process was opened at Leeds Rail Station by BBC Sports Personality of the Year’s Helen Rollason Award winner, Bailey Matthews, Leeds City Council Leader, Councillor Judith Blake, and British triathlete Heather Sellars, as well as members of the Leeds City Ambassadors, all of whom were among the first people to pledge their support for the event.
From experienced volunteers to complete beginners, organisers hope to encourage people of all ages to get involved in a world-class sporting event by becoming a Leeds City Ambassador.
There will be a variety of roles for volunteers at the UK leg of the ITU World Triathlon Series including: race officials, supporting participants along the course, handing out drinks, or giving medals to finishers in the mass-participation races, to name just a few.
Volunteers can provide their time for three days from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th June, including the GO TRI event on the Saturday, or for just one day, by applying online at the official 2016 Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds website: http://leeds.triathlon.org/volunteer/ and completing the application form.
Once potential volunteers have completed the online application form, they will be assigned a role, dependent on experience, and informed of their responsibilities via email. Prior to June 12th, there will also be an exclusive pre-event briefing for volunteers that will include: training, logistics, and a chance to meet the organisers.
All volunteers will receive an event t-shirt, refreshments and a huge thank you from the organising team and those taking part for their hard work.
Organisers are anticipating demand to be extremely high and are encouraging individuals to complete the volunteer application today to avoid any disappointment, before the application process closes on 23rd May.
Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said: “Volunteers have an invaluable role to play in the running and success of major sporting events like this, as was proven at London 2012, the Tour de France Grand Départ and the Tour de Yorkshire. The Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds will see athletes and visitors coming from all over the world to our city, so it would be fantastic and hugely appreciated if people could generously give up their time to be part of it and make sure everyone gets a fantastic Leeds welcome and enjoys an unforgettable event.”
Jack Buckner, Chief Executive of British Triathlon, said: “There is a range of volunteering roles available at the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds and each and every one will contribute towards making this a truly memorable sporting occasion. Not only are the world’s best triathletes coming to Leeds, but the event will be broadcast to a huge television audience, and we hope to show them all a warm Yorkshire welcome. Volunteering offers the opportunity to be directly involved in the event and contribute to its success.”
The much-anticipated Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds, which is part of UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded #EveryRoadtoRio event series, will provide the British public with the opportunity to watch local heroes Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, as well as other leading GB triathletes including Non Stanford and Vicky Holland, battle for glory in their last race on home soil ahead of Rio.
The Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds, organised by British Triathlon in partnership with Leeds City Council, also provides recreational triathletes with the unique opportunity to compete on the same course as elite athletes across a range of different distances, suitable for first timers’ right through to experienced triathletes. A limited number of entries are still available for both the Saturday and Sunday events – for more information please visit: http://leeds.triathlon.org/enter_now/.
For the latest information on the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds, please visit http://leeds.triathlon.org.
