Olympics just the ticket for Janette

The daughter of Rev Ken Connor and Ruth Connor, who were based at Clooney Hall Methodist Church until July, when the couple moved to Newcastle Methodist Church, Janette applied for a chance to volunteer and was eventually notified that she would be on the ticketing team for the football in Glasgow. The experience took her breath away.

“I applied back in 2010 as one of 250,000 people hoping to volunteer and never really thought anymore about it until I found out in January I was one of the 70,000 people selected. There was a lot of travelling for training but it was a proud moment putting on the red and purple uniform for the first time,” she said.
“Although London was awarded the Olympic Games events took place all over the UK and my role was based at Hampden Park in Glasgow, where the football was happening. I was based within the ticketing team. It wasn’t the most glamorous job, but I loved every minute of it,” she said, continuing: “I was based outside the stadium directing the spectators, answering lots of questions and managing queues. My team spent a lot of time in the rain but it didn’t dampen the mood and we laughed and danced through it keeping the Olympic spirit and atmosphere going.”
Asked what the highlights of her experience were, Janette said: “During my first shift the second match of the day was Colombia versus North Korea. Before the match started I met a man whose daughter was playing on the Colombian team. He was one of the proudest men I have ever met and his entire family were celebrating. It just summed up what the Olympics were about.”
Another thing she enjoyed was the chance to ‘celebrity spot. 
“As I was based in Glasgow we didn’t get many big names, on my last shift we spotted someone we recognised, and after some Googling we discovered he played Tommy Harris in Coronation Street,” she said.
Recalling the long hours she put in on the ticketing team, she said: “At times it felt that what we were doing was so insignificant and then someone in the queue would thank us or give us a high five and the realisation that we were playing a small part in something amazing. I have never talked to so many strangers but people were open to chat to us and share their stories and the team spirit between all the Games Makers. Many of us only met on our first shift, but bonded and just worked together.
Another moment that she enjoyed was when she happened to find herself standing with one of the other volunteers during a break. They were trying their best to peek down the tunnel and just happened to see a goal being scored by Egypt.
“I could talk about the Olympics all day, I totally loved the experience and I’m so thankful to everyone who made it possible for me to be part of it. It’s something I am never going to forget. If anyone was watching the Olympics thinking ‘I want to do that’ then the World Police and Fire Games are happening summer 2013 with over 70 countries right here in Northern Ireland. It is another chance to be part of something big,” she said.