Training for thousands of excited Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) staff, volunteers and some contractors officially started today (Nov. 11) with the much anticipated Games uniforms unveiled as part of the Workforce Orientation Weekend.
The Games workforce (volunteers, staff and contractors), to be known as Games Shapers, joined forces for the first time with just 144 days until the Opening Ceremony.
Around 4,500 Games Shapers packed out the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, the venue that will house the Main Media Centre, Basketball Finals and Netball come GC2018, for the first of three ‘full house’ sessions to take place over the weekend.
The event also marked the six-year anniversary of the Gold Coast being announced as the host city of the 21st Commonwealth Games.
The Games Shaper uniform, developed by Hard Yakka, was unveiled during the first session and just like the Gold Coast, the uniforms are bright, bold and reflect the relaxed feel of the Coast.
Star of the show Borobi the Official GC2018 Mascot was also given his own bespoke polo shirt to match that of the workforce.
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chairman, Peter Beattie AC said the orientation events marked the commencement of the training journey ahead of the Games.
"All athletes are in training to bring their best to the Games and it is no different for our Games Shapers," Mr Beattie said.
"We want to deliver a great Games and these events are designed to engage the newly appointed Games Shapers and get them into the starting blocks and ready to start their training regime.
"The entire Game’s workforce will walk away with a real insight into the scale of the Games, what training to expect over the next five months, what we expect of them and an idea of what they can expect at Games time.
"Games Shapers make a massive commitment to the success of the Games and we sincerely appreciate the time and energy they put in to ensure athletes, spectators, media and other key stakeholders have a memorable Games experience."
GOLDOC Chief Executive Officer, Mark Peters said the workforce uniform is one of the Games most visual elements.
"The uniform launch is a highly anticipated occasion in any Games campaign. Hard Yakka have done a terrific job to design and produce some 200,000 items which will stand out amongst a crowd. I’m looking forward to seeing our Games Shapers wear them with pride," Mr Peters said.
"Our Games Shapers will be the heart and soul of GC2018 working across 24 Games locations and venues in Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane and the Gold Coast."
Maria Italiano from Official Uniform Supplier, Hard Yakka said Hard Yakka has a long established heritage of making our Aussie heroes look great and feel proud of the hard work they do.
"These Aussie heroes will wear a unique uniform range reflecting the Gold Coast’s distinctively bold, bright and beautiful style combined with a number of practical features adapted for the Queensland heat," Ms Italiano said.
"Because it bears the Hard Yakka brand, these uniforms will stand the test of endurance and keep the Games Shapers looking great no matter how hard they’re working."
TAFE Queensland, Official Training Partner, Interim CEO Mary Campbell said the workforce will have Games Time roles as diverse as spectator services, press operations, anti-doping, protocol and transport with a range of customised training programs developed.
"The orientation events this weekend are the start of our extensive training program which will deliver over 360,000 training hours to the Games Shapers," Ms Campbell said.
"We’re proud to be delivering Games training and are working hand in hand with GOLDOC to provide the best training possible for the Games workforce.
"Games Shapers will undergo role specific and venue specific training in both online and face to face environments leading up to the Games.
BY THE NUMBERS
About the Games Shapers uniform:
- Over 200,000 pieces of individual clothing designed and developed by Hard Yakka
- The rain jackets have a hidden hood
- The uniform has a distinctively bold, bright and beautiful style that reflects the Gold Coast
- All fabrics are breathable and lightweight with anti-microbial performance, perfect for the Queensland climate
- Uniforms include a ‘Label of Gratitude’ which is a personal message to the wearer from the Governor General
- The tote bag is made from recycled materials – practical AND good for the environment
- Design elements on the uniform feature a First Australian print which forms part of the lead motif created to support initiatives in the GC2018 Reconciliation Action Plan
- GC2018 acknowledges the lead Indigenous artist and designer Jenna Lee, a proud Larrakia woman based in Brisbane
- The polo has a loop on the front tab to hold sunglasses
- Pant fabric is lightweight with a quick dry finish
- The pant leg can be worn long or zipped off as shorts
- Cancer Council Queensland has endorsed the Games Shaper uniform as SunSmart
- All fabrics are rated UPF 50+ and the uniform complies with the Australian and New Zealand Standard for Sun Protective Clothing, in addition to meeting QLD Health’s Sun Safety Policy for Mass Gatherings
- The Panama style hat has a UPF 50+ rating
- In total the uniform components can fill 12 shipping containers full of clothing!
- 20,000 kilometres of thread was used to stitch the all the garments together. If stretched out in a line this would reach half way across the earth’s circumference!
- 300,000 square metres of fabric was used.
- 400,000 buttons were used in the making of the uniforms
About the Games Shapers:
- Games Shaper mission: GC2018 is our Games, and we will shape an unforgettable experience for everyone
- Games Shapers are part of something bigger
- We Shape the Games
- We are proud – proud to be part of something bigger
- We are vibrant – our vibrant energy sparks excitement
- We are committed – committed to shaping an unforgettable experience
- We are friendly – our service goes beyond a warm smile, it embraces the Jimbelung Games
Training:
- 360,000 hours of volunteer training from TAFE Queensland
Volunteers:
- GC2018 runs from 4-15 April 2018
- 15,000 at Games time
- Youngest volunteer 16 years
- Oldest volunteer 92 years
- More than 85% are from South East Queensland
- 18 competition venues from Cairns to Coolangatta
- 24 volunteer venues including the Commonwealth Games Village and Games Family Hotel
- 150,000 meals for volunteers
- 18 sports plus seven integrated para-sports
- One million volunteer hours required
- Over 50 medical facilities across Games venues
- 84,000 medical volunteer hours
- More than 1,500 medical volunteers
- 11 days of competition
- Up to 1.5 million spectators
- 6,600 athletes and team officials
- 70 nations and territories will compete in the Games
- Promote the Gold Coast to a 1.5 billion cumulative global TV audience
- 1,000 hours of sport
For more information, please email media@goldoc.com or contact:
Cobey Moore: +61 447 109 772
Communication and Media Lead
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)
Tamara Morris: +61 400 658 429
Manager Communication and Media
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)
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