Software engineer Paul Durrand has recently returned to work after
spending three weeks working as an unpaid IT volunteer for the
Commonwealth Games, writes Nathalie Towner.
Durrand discovered the possibility of being an IT volunteer at
major events after responding to an advert in his local paper
seeking volunteers to help out at the last Rugby World Cup. He
enjoyed it so much that he now keeps an eye out for similar
opportunities - and he had no intention of missing out on the
Commonwealth Games.
"I had an absolute ball when I volunteered for the Rugby Union
World Cup, and I then went on to work at the Millennium Youth
Commonwealth Games," says Durrand. "I put my name down in March
last year for the Commonwealth Games, I would have done practically
anything to get there."
Technology staff were in high demand for the Games, and the
organisers were still recruiting up until just a few months before
the start date. Durrand, who lives in Edinburgh, travelled to
Manchester for an interview last September and was given the role
of assistant venue technology manager.
"This meant that I was based at the International Broadcast Centre,
where we were responsible for all the TV feeds to the centre before
they were distributed around the world," he explains. "We supplied
the commentators with touch-screen information systems, so they
could see best times and world records during the competitions, and
a Games family information database with all the information they
would need to know about the athletes."
Some of Durrand's colleagues thought he was mad giving up so much
of his annual leave to work long hours for no pay, but he says he
is addicted to the buzz of working on such high-profile
projects.
Durrand arrived in Manchester 10 days before the Games started to
set up the venue. He soon found himself responsible for a team on
the 24x7 helpdesk - something he had no experience of.
"For the first 10 days we were working 14 to 15-hour days, but when
the games started it got a lot easier and we were working normal
shifts," he says.
Durrand says the atmosphere is the main reason he loves working at
these events so much. "Virtually everyone is a volunteer, so they
are all working here because they want to," he explains.
Of course, this does not mean the job is without pressure. On a few
occasions broadcasters could not access information and systems
broke down, but these incidents were rare and for the most part
Durrand found the work extremely enjoyable.
"Normally I programme all day but by being here I have learnt a lot
about IT support and networking and how to set up a venue," he
says. "I have learnt a lot from the Compaq engineers and from the
other volunteers who have different backgrounds to myself."
In normal life Durrand works for a small company, and he believes
all the new skills he learnt at the Commonwealth Games will be
really useful in his day-to-day role.
Durrand now has his sights set on the next Commonwealth Games in
Melbourne, Australia in 2006. It is will not be easy to arrange,
but he believes it would be worth the effort. "The friends I have
made have been a really big thing and all this new experience has
added more strings to my bow," he says.
How to volunteer for sporting events
- IT professionals stand a good chance of being recruited to work
on large events because of their specialised skills
- Durrand recommends visiting an event's Web site, where there is
often a volunteers section. Alternatively, see the local press in
the area where the event is being held
- Organisers' generally prefer to recruit local people because
they know the area and have accommodation. If you are not local you
will have to sort out your own accommodation
- The Melbourne Commonwealth Games, which will be held in 2006,
is looking for 15,000 volunteers.