UEFA EURO 2016 volunteer programme launched in Paris

026 - 6,500 people will play their part in the success of next year’s celebration of football

The French Football Federation (FFF) and Association Volontaires 2016 today presented the volunteer programme for UEFA EURO 2016 at a press conference at the Paris Event Center. Association Volontaires 2016 was created jointly by the FFF and the Professional Football League (LFP) to recruit, train and mobilise the 6,500 volunteers who will help to make UEFA EURO 2016 a success. The tournament is taking place in ten cities accross France from 10 June to 10 July 2016.

Prior to the press conference, Jacques Lambert (President of EURO 2016 SAS), Albert Gemmrich (President of Association Volontaires 2016) and Christian Karembeu (ambassador of the UEFA EURO 2016 volunteer programme) all participated in a round table at Paris Event Center to present the programme to 1,300 FFF volunteers. Gaëtane Thiney, also an ambassador of this programme, could not attend as she is already preparing with the French national team for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. The volunteers present were greeted by Super Victor, the UEFA EURO 2016 mascot and had the chance to get up close to the prestigious Henri Delaunay Trophy. Afterwards, all participants were invited to attend the French Cup final.

The volunteer recruitment process is open to everyone from now untill 30 November 2015. Applicants should register on www.volunteers.euro2016.fr. All applicants must fulfil three conditions: be 18 or over on 1 April 2016, have at least basic knowledge of French and English, and be available for the duration of the tournament and the prior training periods. Recruitment will depend not only on each applicant's professional qualifications, but also their motivation, availability and team spirit. Prior experience of volunteering is not a requirement, but certainly an advantage.

Volunteers will be needed in various areas of operation, including accreditation, ceremonies, transport, marketing, ticketing and VIP services, to mention only a few. Each successful candidate will be given specific training for his/her area of activity, an UEFA EURO 2016-branded uniform and an access to the volunteer centres.

Recruitment days will be organised in the ten host cities, starting this summer and running until December. The training periods will then be scheduled from March to June 2016. Volunteers will be active on the event from 10 June to 10 July 2016.

Albert Gemmrich, President of Association Volontaires 2016 said: “The 6,500 volunteers will bring their commitment, their passion and their smiles to the tournament. They will play a key role since they will be the first contact with spectators. The volunteers will contribute significantly to the success of UEFA EURO 2016: a rendez-vous not to be missed.”

Christian Karembeu, ambassador for the UEFA EURO 2016 volunteer programme, added:"In the UEFA EURO 2016 volunteer programme, I have encountered team spirit, diversity, respect and sharing - values that are, and always have been, the beauty of sport in general and football in particular."