Valentina Mercolli "playing" a little footbal as a FIFA Women's World Cup Volunteer: Photo: courtesy of V. Mercolli

One of the most frequent questions people ask me is, “Why did you apply to become a volunteer for the FIFA WWC 2011?” The customary answer for each of us is simple, “Because football is my passion”. From this then, we’re all in agreement with several more phrases that could also be added: “Because I love being part of a team and meeting a lot of new people” and “Because I would like to live an unforgettable experience”.

Besides these reasons, each of us may have more personal reasons to add to the list. In my case, I applied to be a volunteer because I also studied Sports Management and am a football player myself. So naturally, I thought it would be interesting to see with my own eyes different aspects of a big tournament’s organization in a field that I know well: football.

Whatever your background, the reasons behind your application, the volunteer position, the nation you come from or the language you speak – each of us feels that he or she is part of a group distinguished not only by the white and red outfit – the famous volunteer outfit – but by the same mission: to take part, to help and to contribute enthusiastically to the success of this prestigious event called the FIFA WWC 2011, the pinnacle of international women’s football!

There are 12 areas of responsibility where a volunteer can find his or her place. Each area is interesting and fascinating; the difficulty is in finding the most appropriate role that’s best for you! I chose “Media & Communications” because I was most inclined to speak with journalists and photographers from different countries. I was also interested in understanding how the world of media works to produce the images that are shown on television and in the newspapers, images and words that in the end are used to promote our game.

It’s curious because while working, you’re really concentrated on accomplishing your tasks in the very best way. Afterwards, when you arrive home and think about your journey, you begin to realize the wonderful experience you just lived: you saw Silvia Neid, Steffi Jones, Simone Laudehr and Fatmira Bajramaj, to name just a few! All the big names who just might have been on the back of your football jersey while training, who were a source of inspiration and who now stand right in front of you in person!

To sum it up, whether you’re a volunteer, a player or a worker, every single action, every detail is important and everything has to be done in a perfectly coordinated way. In the end, what the spectators and the public see is just the tip of the iceberg, the sum of all those small elements put together within a big organization. And that’s wonderful!