When the men’s fistball world champion is crowned in Mannheim from July 22 to 29, an impressive sporting event awaits all sports fans. But, for the realization of such an event, the world championship organizers are also dependent on support before, during and after the world championship. Volunteers, who thanks to their commitment, play a decisive role in making an event of this magnitude a success. From now on, volunteers can apply for assignments during the World Fistball Championships.
They can be directly on the sidelines to ensure that the World Cup matches run smoothly, they can be team coaches for one of the participating nations throughout the week, they can report on the event days as part of the media team, or they can work a shift in the drinks truck and marquee to ensure that all the spectators are well catered for: It is a wide range that the organizers of the Fistball World Championships have to cover around the World Championships from July 22 to 29.
300 volunteers needed
“We certainly need 300 volunteers over all days to ensure that everything runs smoothly,” says Jan-Frederic Trinemeier. The fistballer from TV Käfertal is a member of the World Cup organizing committee and is responsible for all volunteer matters with a team of four people. “It doesn’t matter if someone has time on all days of the World Cup or is only available on a morning or afternoon or helps us with a donation for the cake buffet. We are happy about every person who wants to support us with the extensive tasks,” emphasizes Trinemeier. Four shifts – from morning to midnight – are planned each day. Around 150 volunteers, particularly from the Mannheim area, but also from the Stuttgart region, Switzerland and even Brazil have already agreed to provide support around the World Cup.
Now the team is to be even broader, especially since the first work on the grounds of the Rhein-Neckar Stadium will begin as early as the weekend before the World Cup. “Some helpers will also be needed in the run-up to the event. About everyone who already has time here, we are very grateful and can indicate it directly at registration,” says Trinemeier. And also directly in the organizing committee can be supported from now on. “Especially when it comes to implementing ideas in the areas of marketing and logistics, we are happy to have comrades-in-arms who want to get up close and personal with the organization of such a major event – regardless of whether they are newcomers or experienced event professionals,” says World Cup Managing Director Sönke Spille.
German Volunteers registration tool
Interested parties can register now on the German Volunteers platform. “We are glad that we have succeeded in working together here,” says Trinemeier. In particular, deployment planning and communication with volunteers will be simplified by the tool from the Frankfurt-based nonprofit organization. Previous experience as a volunteer is not necessary, the only requirement for registration is a minimum age of 16 years, otherwise both individuals and groups can register for an assignment.
What’s more, past fistball events have already shown what a good atmosphere can develop among the volunteers during the World Championships – thanks to which the work is extremely fun. “There will be a separate retreat area for all volunteers. Accreditation also allows them to travel free of charge by public transport. And: You get free admission to the World Cup site on the day of deployment and vouchers for food and drink,” reveals Jan-Frederic Trinemeier. Particularly hard-working helpers who have completed five shifts by World Cup Thursday will also be invited by the World Cup organizers to the final games in the SAP Arena. Trinemeier: “Our goal is to make the World Cup a very special one, together with the volunteers, and we have already blocked a “volunteer block” in the SAP Arena. This way, our volunteers can sit back after an exhausting week and enjoy the decisive matches with their team.”
Applications to become a World Cup volunteer can be made at www.faustballwm.de/volunteers. Questions can be answered by the World Fistball Championships Volunteer Team by e-mail (volunteer.office@faustball.de).