ABSTRACT

International sport volunteering has seen increased interest in the past decade. While much research has focused on those who leave their home countries to volunteer as part of short-term stays abroad, far less work has considered the role of transnational migrants volunteering in the place where they now reside abroad. Major events represent an opportunity to connect people, may it be the host city residents, the spectators or the international guests. There exists a strong base of sport volunteering literature but a more defined international focus is needed as people are becoming more mobile. Research focusing on migration and sport has seen much development. However, there has been little consideration addressing personal reflections of an individual migrant as an international sports volunteer. This chapter represents a form of ethnography looking critically at the process of volunteering. It outlines some conceptual points and operations based on experiences of a volunteer at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.