THE SEARCH is on for inspirational Warwickshire people to carry the Baton ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Organisers have launched a recruitment campaign to find ‘Batonbearers’ for the Queen’s Baton Relay – a Commonwealth Games tradition to build anticipation for the upcoming Games.
With Games events taking place in Warwickshire, county residents are being encouraged to take up the baton – which is currently on an epic journey across the Commonwealth, visiting Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas – when it returns to England in the summer.
And county council chiefs are encouraging nominations for residents who are willing to take on a challenge, have an inspiring story, are an inspiration who positively challenges others to achieve their best, or are enthusiastic about making a positive impact in their community.
During the Games, the cycling Road Race will start and finish in Warwick’s St Nicholas Park, and Leamington’s Victoria Park will host the Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls.
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is encouraging residents to nominate people who are willing to take on a challenge, have a unique and inspiring story, and are passionate about making a positive impact in their community.
WCC leader Coun Izzi Seccombe said: “The chance to take part in the Games and be one of the batonbearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay is an incredible opportunity for our residents.
“As we count down the days to the opening ceremony of Birmingham 2022, the final leg of the 72-nation Baton Relay will shine a light on our unsung heroes who make a real difference to their local communities. I’m looking forward to seeing all those selected take part in a unique event that will showcase the best of Warwickshire’s towns and people in 2022.
“The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games coming to our region is truly a once in a lifetime event and I hope many of our residents will seize the voluntary opportunities that are available in the run-up to the Games this summer.”
Games organisers have also launched a search for other volunteers to be a part of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
The Games’ organising committee is seeking the following three categories of volunteers:
- Volunteer Cast – over 18s who can move to a beat for a variety of performance roles across the Opening and Closing Ceremonies
- Established Choirs – choirs with singers aged over 18 to join the Ceremonies Mass Choir
- Athlete Hosts – over 18s who would like a backstage role assisting with welcoming and marshalling athletes from across the Commonwealth during the Opening Ceremony Athletes Parade.
To be part of the volunteer cast, applicants must be able to participate in a movement and dance-based audition that will take place in Birmingham, between March 1 and 13. Applicants must be able to commit to regular rehearsal sessions beginning in May 2022, running all the way up to each Ceremony.
The established choirs must have previous singing and performing experience and be able to learn show material from March, and commit to regular rehearsal sessions beginning in July 2022, running all the way up to each Ceremony.
Athlete Hosts will need to attend three rehearsals in July prior to the Opening Ceremony and one rehearsal before the Closing Ceremony in August. Interviews will take place between March 1 and 13.
Nominations for batonbearers can be made at the Birmingham 2022 website by submitting 100 words or less on how the nominee is making a difference in their community and why they deserve to be a Batonbearer. All nominations must be aged 12 or over as of June 2. Visit https://tinyurl.com/2sefm859 to nominate.
Visit www.birmingham2022.com/ceremonies to apply to be a volunteer.
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/Birmingham2022commonwealthgames for more information about the Commonwealth Games in Warwickshire.
