Sporting enthusiasts wanting to become more involved in supporting community sports and playing an active role in volunteering will have the ch ance to find out what’s on offer at the Bristol Sport Volunteering Fair, taking place next week,  Monday, 6 March.

The 2006 volunteer event follows the success of last year's fair and is set to take place at Ashton Park Sport Centre from 6.30 to 8.30 pm. The evening event is hosted by the Bristol Sport Education Forum, of which the University of Bristol is a key partner.

Many community sport initiatives across the city rely on hundreds of volunteers to give up their time to help run the numerous sports and activity clubs in Bristol - and volunteers are always needed. The Bristol Sport Volunteering Fair aims to attract people interested in volunteering and show them how they can get involved.

Sport and Community Development Officers will attend the fair and be on hand to act as a link between would-be-volunteers and local sports clubs and organisations looking for extra help. There will also be information on various volunteering, coaching, leadership and first aid courses available with organisations such as Sports Leader UK and the Red Cross, who will also be attending the fair as exhibitors.

Bristol Rugby players Brian Lima, David Lemi and Craig Short will hold a rugby skills session for the Ashton Park School rugby team and demonstrations by the Evolution Trampolining Club and New Star Ashton Judo Club will entertain visitors at the event.

Brian Lima, Bristol Rugby Club, said: "The Bristol Rugby holiday camps and school coaching sessions for young people rely on the help of volunteer community coaches. The club itself benefits hugely from volunteered support provided by the Bristol Independent Supporters (BRIS) Trust who fundraise on our behalf and help to maintain our training ground. My teammates and I are delighted to support the Sport Volunteering Fair and would really encourage anyone interested in volunteering to attend."

Karen O' Donohoe, Community Sport Development Officer at the University of Bristol, said: "People are motivated to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it's about giving something back to the community, for others, it's about personal and/or professional development. Whatever the reason, volunteering provides a unique opportunity to get involved and make a positive difference to the local community. And with sport, there is something to suit every age, background and ability."

A large number of Sports Leaders UK courses and Step into Sport programmes are run in Bristol. These provide young people with leadership, organisation and communication skills. Course organisers, who struggle to find placements for these keen and qualified young people are invited to attend the fair.

Local companies with employee-volunteering initiatives such as EDF Energy and the University of Bristol are encouraged to attend to find out about the wide range of local sport volunteering opportunities available to their staff.

The Bristol Sport Volunteering Fair takes place at Ashton Park Sport Centre, Blackmores Lane, Bower Ashton, Bristol on Monday 6 March from 6.30 to 8.30 pm.

For more information on the fair please visit www.sportvolunteeringfair.co.uk or contact Karen O'Donohoe, tel 0117 331 1166 email ko4914@bris.ac.uk