The Youth Sport Trust and the asa are looking to recruit one young person to undertake an amazing opportunity as a Young Official Development Officer.

The post:
· Full time volunteering opportunity, (approximately 30 hours per week, we can look to be flexible with hours)
· To commence at the beginning of September 2008 for 40 weeks (there is some flexibility here)
· Flexible location

Volunteer Expenses:
· Up to £60 a week for 40 weeks – total of £2,400
· Up to £4,000 expenses

For further information:

Download: Person specification & Role Description
Download: Expression of interest Form

The role is an extension to the Young Officials programme, which enables more young people to take up roles as technical sports officials within swimming.  Supported by the implementation body of the Russell Commission, the project has been running since June 2007 and has enabled swimming to develop a new Timekeeper workbook, created by a full-time volunteer working with the asa.  Our target to recruit, train and deploy 100 16-19 year old technical young officials by June 2008 is on schedule, and we are confident that this will be exceeded. 

Formal structures enabling young people to progress along pathways to be successful sports performers and coaches have already been established in England.  We believe that it is now essential to support the structure for technical sports officials through our Young Officials Programme.  With new innovations that build upon the developments of the first year of this project we will offer more young people in England exciting new opportunities to engage as volunteers and officials in sport.  It will help to increase the number of young technical sports officials and facilitate a massive growth in competitive sports opportunities, from grassroots level through to major national events, against the background of the newly established annual UK School Games and London 2012.  It is important that we build on the success of year one and embed the awards that have been created so that young people can step on to the officiating pathway.

Comment from outgoing 2007/08 Young Official Development Officer:

“Being a Young Official Development Officer has provided me with a vast range of opportunities and experiences over the past year.  It has been exciting to be part of a new project, which aims to raise the profile of British Swimming and officiating amongst young people through schools and developing links with clubs.

”Through my role I have had the opportunity to travel and to meet and work alongside a wide range of people with different views and from different backgrounds. I have met people who work behind the scenes at club and asa level, which has provided me with an invaluable insight into all the hard work, planning and logistical activities involved in running swimming events.  Working alongside people with responsibility in the organisation has provided me with the opportunity to offer my opinions on certain issues, and hopefully, as a result, have had some impact on future changes. 

”The role put me in a position to influence the lives of young people, not only acting as a role model, but also furthering the inclusion and participation of young people in sport by offering them another route into swimming through the prospect of qualifying as an official.

”Personally, my confidence in interacting with a wide range of people has increased tremendously. Both my oral and written communication skills of have improved through face-to-face meetings and preparing and giving presentations.  It has been an excellent experience.”

Yvette Heywood, asa Volunteer Manager said:

“To build on the success of the first year the asa is looking for an individual with an understanding of swimming and who is able to demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for raising the profile of officiating amongst young people.  In this role you will be required to work with the asa National Officials Committee, swimming clubs and schools, which will require an individual with strong communication skills and the ability to develop partnerships with a range of individuals and organisations.  The successful individual will be supported to complete their asa Level 1 Judge qualification within the first quarter of the project.”  
   
If you are interested in one of these posts: please complete the expression of interest form and return to Louise Gruchy, Young Officials Development Manager, Youth Sport Trust, Ground Floor, Founders Hall, University of Bath, Bath. BA2 7AY or louise.gruchy@youthsporttrust.org by Friday 13th June. 

NB: A recruitment day will be held on Wednesday 18th June in Loughborough

Feel free to contact Louise Gruchy (Young Officials Development Manager at the Youth Sport Trust) on louise.gruchy@youthsporttrust.org or 07824 490235