Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2015 will take place in 10 host cities in England plus Cardiff from September 18 to October 31, 2015.
RWC 2015 will welcome the world to Rugby and to England, and everyone is invited. The tournament will be broadcast to a global TV audience of over 4 billion and is the third largest sporting event in the world.
England 2015 is looking for exceptional volunteers to help stage RWC 2015 and make it an unforgettable team and spectator experience. 75% of the 6,000 volunteers will be recruited through rugby clubs, recognising those who give their time and effort to the Game week-in week-out. We also want to bring new people into the Game and create a lasting legacy of volunteering for rugby in England.
We are looking to recruit enthusiastic volunteers from across England and Wales to stage a truly great RWC 2015, and will do so via a process that is open and fair.
We will need approximately 6,000 volunteers to help us stage the tournament, and this is where we need your help…

Values that England 2015 are looking for in volunteers
We will be interviewing all prospective volunteers at our Try Out events against the Values of
Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship so it makes sense to consider using these Values when deciding on your nomination process.

What Volunteer Roles are Available?

We will need approximately 6,000 volunteers to help make RWC 2015 a truly great tournament.

Every single role is critical and therefore it’s important that we recruit the right volunteers for the right roles.
We are looking for volunteers who are ready to roll their sleeves up, get stuck in and potentially get wet! Knowing the British weather as we do September and October can often to be cold, rainy months. So although volunteers will have a fantastic and unique uniform – to help beat the elements – volunteers could be outside for long periods of time.
Volunteers certainly won’t be disappointed with their roles, but they won’t be pitch-side either.

The roles that volunteers perform at RWC 2015 will be different to volunteering in club rugby. However, it will be the experience of a lifetime and something to tell the grandchildren about.
The vast majority of roles will be within the Spectator Experience and Transport teams working between two and 10 shifts, depending on the venue. We also have roles in Accreditation, Workforce, Press Operations and other areas.
Here is a summary of what roles in our two largest teams will be like:

Spectator Experience

You will be the face of the RWC 2015: welcoming spectators and guests to England 2015.

Predominantly based outside the venue you’ll be the friendly face providing directions to visitors from all over the world while creating a memorable and exciting atmosphere.
You will have excellent communication skills; have a strong focus on customer service and, most importantly, a positive, can-do attitude. These roles are based outside so we’re looking for volunteers who can brave the English weather!

Transport

As part of the Transport team you will play a key role in helping spectators, players, tournament guests, match officials and media to travel between host cities.
We’re not just looking for drivers, although that helps! Transport is a key function of RWC 2015 and we need volunteers who have excellent customer service and hosting skills.

We also require people with strong administration skills in our transport co-ordination centre.

Volunteers will manage real-time changes to arrival and departure schedules, ensuring the right drivers are in the right place at the right time.
For any driving roles volunteers will need an appropriate and valid license.

Criteria to Become a RWC 2015 Volunteer

Are you interested in becoming a RWC 2015 Volunteer? Please read the below criteria and if you can answer ‘Yes’ to each of the nine questions then you are ready to apply!

• Are you proud and passionate about welcoming the world to the 2015 Rugby World Cup?
We want to welcome the world to Rugby and to England. Everyone is invited.

• Are you willing to attend one of our Try Outs between June and December 2014?
A Try Out is visiting every host city – 13 venues in total – and is the name of the volunteer selection roadshow. A Try Out includes a short one-to-one interview to assess your suitability as a volunteer (we may ask for reference and security checks) but also includes an exciting interactive exhibition and the chance for us to take your measurements for that all-important volunteer uniform.

• Will you be able to attend up to three training sessions in the spring/summer of 2015?

• Will you be available to volunteer for up to 10 shifts in September/October 2015?

• Do you want to find out more about volunteering at your local Rugby club?
RWC 2015 is a celebration of Rugby and its unique values, and we want to encourage a lasting legacy of volunteering for the Game in England.

• Will you be at least 18-years-old on April 1, 2015?
You will need to be at least 18-years-old by the time you start your training with us.

• Do you understand English?
English doesn’t need to be your first language but you should be able to read and speak it competently.

• Do you have the right to volunteer in the UK?
You must be eligible to work in the UK. If you are from a country outside of the EU you must have the appropriate permissions from UK authorities to take up a role.

• Can you cover the cost of your own travel?
Due to the scale of RWC 2015, and the number of volunteers required, it is not possible to reimburse any travel and accommodation costs that you may incur during your period of volunteering.

If you are interested, please contact Sarah Keast

sarah.keast@btopenworld.com