The Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee today (Monday, November 5) formally launched its search for up to 15,000 volunteers for the Commonwealth Games with the official opening of the Volunteer Centre.

With around 15,000 hours before the start of the Games, Glasgow 2014 is on the hunt for the friendliest faces and seeking them to register their interest now at www.glasgow2014.com/volunteer ahead of applications opening in mid-January.

At today’s official opening, Clyde, the official Glasgow 2014 Mascot, was given the scissors to cut the ribbon and complete the opening, supported by Lord Smith, Chair of Glasgow 2014, Games Partners, representatives from leading voluntary organisations, and a selection of people representing the diversity of the volunteers required at the Games.

The contribution of the Games Makers during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games was widely recognised as a success story and Glasgow 2014 will be seeking its own volunteers to help deliver the largest sporting and cultural event ever hosted in Scotland.

The Volunteer Centre in Glasgow’s Merchant City will act as a hub, hosting an anticipated 1,000 interviews a week for the huge range of volunteer roles; the interviews are due to start from April 2013 onwards.

Lord Smith, Chair of Glasgow 2014, said: “One of my lasting memories of attending the London 2012 Olympics is the immense contribution made by the Games Makers and now we are looking to find up to 15,000 people of our own to help deliver a successful Commonwealth Games here in Scotland.

“Today’s formal opening of the Volunteer Centre is a landmark moment for Glasgow 2014 and this building will go on to be the hub where the interviews take place to recruit the friendly faces who can stamp their own personalities on the Games.

“I would urge those considering being a volunteer to register their interest online at the first opportunity and for them to begin to think about how they personally could assist Glasgow 2014 in making this an event to remember.”

Representing Commonwealth Games Scotland, Fiona McEwan, Vice Chair said: “For the participating teams the volunteers are critical to the quality of every part of their Games experience. From the technical officials who ensure that the sport competitions are run smoothly, to the drivers who help athletes and officials get seamlessly around the city, to the people welcoming athletes into the dining room, a friendly and flexible attitude turns a good Games into a great and memorable Games.

“Scots are naturally very hospitable and coupled with a great sense of humour we are confident that Glasgow 2014 will have a volunteer workforce to be proud of.”

The vision for the Volunteering Programme is to engage a diverse, inclusive and committed group of high calibre volunteers to support Glasgow 2014 across all strands of the Games.

Not all of the roles will be high profile or in the frontline and many might be away from the athletes. They are all, however, crucial to making sure the Games run smoothly. Some roles will include welcoming athletes at the airport or at the Athletes’ Village, helping behind the scenes or directing people at the venues.

There will also be specialist roles that need previous experience or qualifications in sport or first aid. But the vast majority of roles just need friendly people, who are committed to helping make this the best show that Scotland has ever seen.

When applications open in mid-January the application form is completed online. Glasgow 2014 has been working with a number of organisations including the Scottish Library Information Council (SLIC) to arrange nationwide support.

All volunteers are required to be 16 or over when application opens in mid-January, be eligible to work in the UK and must be available for at least eight unforgettable days during the Games themselves between July 23 and August 3 in 2014.

A Contact Centre for Glasgow 2014 will deal with all queries and members of the public are encouraged to dial 030 3333 2014 or email contactus@glasgow2014.com for any assistance required with volunteer and general enquiries.

With around 15,000 hours before the start of the Games, Glasgow 2014 is on the hunt for the friendliest faces and seeking them to register their interest now at www.glasgow2014.com/volunteer ahead of applications opening in mid-January.

At today’s official opening, Clyde, the official Glasgow 2014 Mascot, was given the scissors to cut the ribbon and complete the opening, supported by Lord Smith, Chair of Glasgow 2014, Games Partners, representatives from leading voluntary organisations, and a selection of people representing the diversity of the volunteers required at the Games.

The contribution of the Games Makers during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games was widely recognised as a success story and Glasgow 2014 will be seeking its own volunteers to help deliver the largest sporting and cultural event ever hosted in Scotland.

The Volunteer Centre in Glasgow’s Merchant City will act as a hub, hosting an anticipated 1,000 interviews a week for the huge range of volunteer roles; the interviews are due to start from April 2013 onwards.

Lord Smith, Chair of Glasgow 2014, said: “One of my lasting memories of attending the London 2012 Olympics is the immense contribution made by the Games Makers and now we are looking to find up to 15,000 people of our own to help deliver a successful Commonwealth Games here in Scotland.

“Today’s formal opening of the Volunteer Centre is a landmark moment for Glasgow 2014 and this building will go on to be the hub where the interviews take place to recruit the friendly faces who can stamp their own personalities on the Games.

“I would urge those considering being a volunteer to register their interest online at the first opportunity and for them to begin to think about how they personally could assist Glasgow 2014 in making this an event to remember.”

Representing Commonwealth Games Scotland, Fiona McEwan, Vice Chair Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “For the participating teams the volunteers are critical to the quality of every part of their Games experience. From the technical officials who ensure that the sport competitions are run smoothly, to the drivers who help athletes and officials get seamlessly around the city, to the people welcoming athletes into the dining room, a friendly and flexible attitude turns a good Games into a great and memorable Games.

“Scots are naturally very hospitable and coupled with a great sense of humour we are confident that Glasgow 2014 will have a volunteer workforce to be proud of.”

The vision for the Volunteering Programme is to engage a diverse, inclusive and committed group of high calibre volunteers to support Glasgow 2014 across all strands of the Games.

Not all of the roles will be high profile or in the frontline and many might be away from the athletes. They are all, however, crucial to making sure the Games run smoothly. Some roles will include welcoming athletes at the airport or at the Athletes’ Village, helping behind the scenes or directing people at the venues.

There will also be specialist roles that need previous experience or qualifications in sport or first aid. But the vast majority of roles just need friendly people, who are committed to helping make this the best show that Scotland has ever seen.

When applications open in mid-January the application form is completed online. Glasgow 2014 has been working with a number of organisations including the Scottish Library Information Council (SLIC) to arrange nationwide support.

All volunteers are required to be 16 or over when application opens in mid-January, be eligible to work in the UK and must be available for at least eight unforgettable days during the Games themselves between July 23 and August 3 in 2014.

A Contact Centre for Glasgow 2014 will deal with all queries and members of the public are encouraged to dial 030 3333 2014 or email contactus@glasgow2014.com for any assistance required with volunteer and general enquiries.