Scottish actor leads call for UEFA Euro 2020 volunteers
Line of Duty star is helping to launch UEFA's largest volunteer recruitment programme
Last updated 6th Jun 2019
Line of Duty star Martin Compston is calling on Glasgow fans to take the “once in a lifetime chance” of being at Euro 2020.
The football fanatic is helping to launch the UEFA Euro 2020 Volunteer Programme which has now opened applications.
Hampden Park will stage four of the tournament’s matches next June as Euro 2020 marks its 60th anniversary.
Up to 1,000 volunteers are needed to support the delivery of the games on 15, 19, 23 and 30 June 2020 as part of the biggest football event ever to come to Scotland.
As the largest UEFA volunteer recruitment programme kicks off across Europe this summer, the search has begun for passionate and dedicated football volunteers involved in the beautiful game in Scotland.
The helpers will assist in a variety of areas at the National Stadium to support the delivery of a successful match-day experience.
Having benefitted from the support of volunteers during his early football years, actor Compston was quick to back the opportunity for unsung heroes up and down the country to play their part in Scotland’s biggest ever football event.
He said: “This is a once in a lifetime chance to experience a major football tournament from the inside.”
“UEFA EURO 2020 is the biggest and best football event to have ever come to our country, so we really want to make sure that we give Europe and the world our famous Scottish welcome.
“There are a range of ways that volunteers can help support this amazing event and I’d encourage anyone with a passion for the game and volunteering to get involved.”
As a former footballer and passionate advocate of the game, Martin knows just how important volunteers are in making football happen.
Scottish football is supported by over 33,000 volunteer coaches, leaders and helpers in clubs and communities around the country, and a huge number of registrations of interest were received prior to the programme opening today.
To support those who face any financial barriers to volunteering, a volunteer support pot has been made available and will be administered through Volunteer Scotland.
George Thomson, CEO of Volunteer Scotland, said: “We are working closely with the Scottish FA and the UEFA EURO 2020 team and we are delighted that a volunteer support pot has been provided as part of this programme.
“Through working with the principles of the Volunteer Charter, the wellbeing of volunteers has been placed at the heart of this event.”
Ian Maxwell, CEO of the Scottish FA, said: “We are committed to supporting a diverse range of participants and ensuring that everybody has access to the UEFA EURO 2020 Volunteer Programme.
“This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for our volunteers to get a unique insight into a major footballing event when the 4 matches take place at Hampden Park in June 2020.
“Scotland has a real history of being able to put on high-quality, high-profile events, and the association has been a key player.
“I think it’s a very fitting way to celebrate the competition’s 60th anniversary, open it up to as many supporters and volunteers as we can, take top-class elite level football to as many supporters across the continent as we can. It’s a great initiative.”
Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe FitzPatrick added: "Volunteers play an integral part in the success of sporting events and in recent years we have seen thousands of people contributing towards making Scotland the perfect stage to host major events. EURO 2020 will be no different.
"Using a joined up approach between UEFA, the Scottish FA and Volunteer Scotland and with the Volunteer Charter at its core, UEFA Euro 2020 will provide another exciting opportunity for people to have fun, meet new people, and get involved in making the tournament a success for the country.
Applications will close on 30 June. If a large number of applications are received, the programme will close early and notice will be given.
Follow @ScottishFA for updates