Major 2022 sporting event needs volunteers

Up to 200 volunteer physio staff are needed and the online application process is open until the middle of next month (August).

Volunteers will play a significant part in the successful delivery of the Games with medical service volunteers providing an important role to athletes and spectators during the Games period, as well as during training sessions from 22 July, explained medical services adviser (athlete specific clinical services) Lynn Booth.

The opportunity to work alongside practitioners from a variety of sports medicine disciplines, with different sports medicine experiences to yourselves, in order to provide the best possible care for athletes from all over the Commonwealth does not occur very often and should be seized with both hands.

The Commonwealth Games last took place in the UK in 2014 (Glasgow) and 2002 (Manchester).

The 2022 Games will see the largest fully integrated para-sport programme for any Commonwealth Games, with 19 sports incorporating eight para-sports. A total of 71 Commonwealth nations and territories are eligible to take part.

The medical services will be a multi-disciplinary team and will include physiotherapists experienced in working in a sporting situation with those who are less experienced. 

Non-chartered physiotherapists such as support workers or students may find a role under ‘first-aiders’ or if they have suitable sports massage qualifications.

Physio volunteers will be based in the polyclinics (village medical centres), at competition venues and at training venues and will work with athletes and coaching staff from all corners of the Commonwealth, particularly those countries who have a limited number of medical staff travelling with them to the Games. 

The application process

To ensure that you are identified as a medical services volunteer, quote the following code when prompted within the application form: MED-SPE

If you have already applied without the code don’t worry: the system should still sort your information into medical services. If you have already submitted your details via the Birmingham 2022 ‘Register your interest’ site you will still have to volunteer using the volunteering portal. Volunteers will be expected to volunteer for a minimum of eight shifts.

If you are considering applying the following criteria may be helpful: 

Essential 

• registered as a physiotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council 
• suitable professional liability insurance to a minimum of £5m
• minimum of two years qualified at the time of application (2021)
• holder of a current basic first aid in sport or life support qualification
• have experience of working in a multidisciplinary team 
• by 2021, have two years’ experience of working in a musculoskeletal field 
• holder, or working towards, the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine (ACPSEM) bronze level or be able to demonstrate equivalent CPD 
• excellent team worker, and good communicator 
• knowledge of the World Anti-Doping Agency policy.

Desirable

• member of the CSP 
• holder of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine (ACPSEM) Silver level or be able to demonstrate equivalent CPD
• post-graduate sports massage qualification / experience
• post-graduate taping qualification/experience
• licensed to practise acupuncture
• by 2021, have experience of working in a training and / or competitive sporting environment for a minimum of two years
• experience of working with national level athletes
• experience of working in a multi-sport environment
• member of the Manipulative Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP).