Summer Games seeking sporty types to become guest ambassadors

The 2023 Alberta Summer Games is looking for people with sport-specific knowledge to volunteer as guest ambassadors when the bi-annual sporting spectacle comes to town next summer. 

Director of protocol Marlene Donnelly said the Games, which will be held over four days next July in Okotoks and Black Diamond, will require guest ambassadors for each of the 14 sports to act as the go-to person at the various venues. 

“These are people who really enjoy the sport of soccer or baseball or lacrosse and know about those sports because our guest ambassadors are going to be the point person at each of the sites,” said Donnelly. 

She said guest ambassadors’ duties will include greeting athletes, coaches, spectators and others, providing directions, answering questions, taking part in medal presentations and more. They’ll essentially be the face of the Summer Games at each of the venues. 

“They’re our people on the ground,” Donnelly said. "They’ll know the finer points of the sport as well as the site so they can direct people as needed.” 

The Games will require ambassadors for each of the 14 sports: athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, canoe/kayak, cycling-BMX, football, lacrosse, mountain biking, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming and triathlon. 

Donnelly said guest ambassadors could be athletes, coaches, officials or others involved in local sports organizations who would be willing to share their expertise with others. 

“It might be people whose kids have moved on (in sports) but they still enjoy that and want to be part of something that’s happening in our community,” she said. 

Each sport is likely to have four or five guest ambassadors depending on the venue, schedule and volunteer availability. Training will take place next spring. 

Those looking to become a guest ambassador can email [email protected] and are asked to indicate what sport they’re interested in. 

The 2023 Alberta Summer Games will see over 3,000 athletes, coaches and officials descend on Okotoks and Black Diamond from July 20-23. 

A 14-member board of directors led by former Okotoks mayor Sandi Kennedy will be supported by as many as 1,800 volunteers as Games organizers are tasked with housing, feeding, transporting and entertaining all the competitors, who will range in age from 11 to 17.