British Judo gets set to Join In 2013

–       Join In 2013 to run from 27 July to 9 September

–       Clubs and potential volunteers urged to sign up from today

–       More than seven out of ten local sports clubs say they need more volunteers

–       Join In to provide matchmaker service to help connect local clubs and communities with potential volunteers – including Games Makers

With figures showing a shortage of volunteers in local sport clubs, Join In, the independent trust backed by government, today confirmed details of Join In 2013 and along with Join In’s Patron Eddie Izzard, called on Games Makers to ‘get back in the game.’  

Set up in 2012 to maximise the participation and  volunteering opportunities created by London 2012, the trust will play matchmaker to local clubs, potential participants and all potential volunteers – from Games Makers to first-timers – and mobilise local communities to build on the success of last summer.

Surveys with Games Makers indicate that just 15% of them currently volunteer with local clubs, despite 82% of them having an interest in sport.  After a generation was inspired by an amazing summer of sport in 2012, Join In’s own survey shows that 74% of sport clubs say they require more volunteers.

The aim in 2013 is for Join In to encourage clubs to host events and open days between 27 July and 9 September, which as well as asking for new participants will ask potential volunteers, to turn up, join in and be part of it. 

In 2012, between the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Join In worked with local sport clubs to stage over 6,000 events across the UK, which saw 300,000 attendees and created over 30,000 new volunteers.  This year, Join In 2013 aims to create more events and more volunteers.

Local sport clubs are invited to register on www.joininuk.org to run events and open days and Games Makers will today receive an email from Join In patron Eddie Izzard urging them to dust off the purple and red and sign up, one year on, for a summer of local Games Making. 

Join In chairman Sir Charles Allen said, “Join In was born last summer against the backdrop of amazing Olympic and Paralympic Games and a hugely successful volunteer programme.  As a result of that and with a short run-up, we achieved great things.  This year we need to continue the momentum – and Games Makers can help us do this.”

Prime Minister David Cameron said, “Of all the highlights of our 2012 summer of sport, the volunteers were perhaps the most memorable. People from up and down the country who gave their time and passion to put a smile on the nation’s face. We all want to harness that spirit and ensure that what happened last summer is the beginning of a great volunteering legacy for our country. That’s why I’m so proud that the Government is backing the work of Join In. Join In has already mobilised hundreds of thousands of people to get involved in their local sports clubs: the places where our sporting stars started out. I wish them every success with their even more ambitious plans for this summer as they ask the nation to join in once more.”

Sebastian Coe said, “We enjoyed one of the greatest summers in living memory with the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the world saw the very best of what Britain had to offer.  We now need to tap into what we started last summer and deliver a clear legacy over the next ten years or so.  Behind every athlete is a legion of volunteers who have helped them on their way.  Initiatives such as Join In will help create a platform for local clubs to promote themselves and attract new volunteers to help us deliver on our vision to inspire a generation.”

Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd said, “London 2012 showed millions of people what volunteering can achieve in Britain. Join In will help create an enduring legacy of volunteering and participation through local sports clubs, making sure young athletes and volunteers continue to benefit from the spirit of the games for years to come.”

Last year judo clubs across the country offered 238 different events for new players to come & try the sport. This year Windsor, Coventry, Southampton City, Horncastle, Oxford City, East Manchester Judokwai & more are all on board & keen to give people the opportunity to Join In & have a go as well as look to volunteer 

For more information visit www.joininuk.org