WHEN more than 7,200 youngsters poured into Southampton and the surrounding areas for the biggest-ever youth games event in Europe, it was hardly surprising that with even the best-laid plans, organisers needed a little helping-hand.

And in the tradition of the biggest and best events, there was no shortage of helpers to see the BAA Millennium Games pass off smoothly.

As coaches carrying teams from all over the United Kingdom snaked their way along Hampshire's roads towards the eight sporting venues, over 400 dedicated volunteers were being thoroughly briefed about how to carry out their tasks.

And as a volunteer sports assistant, I was among helpers of all ages and from all walks of life keen to do their bit for the event.

Based at Fleming Park, Eastleigh, where the hockey, football and basketball tournaments took place, my job was to make sure teams were ready for their matches and results were taken to officials.

Dan Harlow, who had the unenviable title of volunteer manager of the site, was a vital cog in the mechanics of the event.

The 29-year-old post-graduate student from Highfield, Southampton, had to make sure the competitions being held simultaneously at the venue were running smoothly and that teams and their managers were happy.

"It was very hard work but extremely rewarding," he reflected. "There were one or two minor problems to deal with, but that is inevitable with such a large number of people.

"The team worked well together and people were very helpful. All of us wanted to get the most out of the event, and because of that we were united in making sure it ran smoothly".

David Holland, 28, had travelled from Exeter to help out.

Like me, he was a football assistant, making sure that teams were ready to go on and that results found themselves onto the leader boards.

"The event was so well-organised that there was a manageable amount of things for us to do. The fact we weren't running about in a panic is testament to the organisation," he said.

Also lending a hand at the venues were the youngsters of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Cadet Force.

Captain Andrew Colleypriest, who was overlooking the 12 cadets at Fleming Park, said the young helpers had been a great asset. "They worked very hard - handing out programmes, picking up litter and ushering people in the right direction," he said.

"The organisers were very happy because they worked over and above the call of duty."

Other unsung heroes included the army of St John Ambulance volunteers, who worked virtually non-stop.

Also working hard were the volunteer officials and referees overlooking the games.

Sixty volunteers from the English Hockey Association were invigilating the hockey schedule in Eastleigh.

Janis Walker, 46, from Nottinghamshire, who was one of the officials, said: "It's been absolutely fabulous and great experience for some of our young trainee officials. They all worked really hard to make sure it ran smoothly - which it did," she said.

Volunteer manager Pippa Baker, 29, who was in charge of recruiting volunteers, was delighted with their efforts.

"Every half an hour I was told 'Thank you so much' for the volunteers. They were the life-blood of the event. And I was so impressed that they continued to smile throughout the rain.

"This event wouldn't have happened without volunteers. They deserve a very big thank-you."

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