In only 3 days in the two largest Slovak cities - Bratislava and Košice - the 2011 IIHF World Championship starts (04.29-05.15.2011). No major sporting event would be complete without the aid of volunteers. The Championship in both venues will be accompanied by 550 volunteers -187 in Košice and 363 in Bratislava.

"We selected volunteers very responsibly. It was not easy, because many of the original 2011 who registered in particular had the main ambition of watching the games. The Bratislava Economic University Faculty of Commerce helped us greatly, their students are an important part of the team,” said Bratislava general manager of volunteers Zuzana Jánošová.

Each volunteer has received training in addition to a brochure which provides basic information which is to be followed. “Everyone knows that it is very important to remember to smile when communicating,” said Jánošová. Volunteers are identifiable by their yellow jackets, shirts and baseball caps with the Raiffeisen Bank sponsor logo.

The average age of the volunteers is 25. The oldest volunteer is 85 year old Mr. František Štamberský. The team also features 12 foreign volunteers - from Canada, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. “The volunteer from Hungary signed up over the Internet like the others . He lives near the border, not far from Košice and does not speak Slovak, but we gave him a job in the media centre where there is an international staff,” said Košice general manager of volunteers Ľuboš Štróbl.

The volunteers completed two selection rounds and at least two training courses in each section. Volunteers should be motivated, friendly and accommodating. In addition, all volunteers must be at least 18 years of age (with the exception of team service volunteers), of good moral character and be able to get by in foreign languages (English in particular) Experience with voluntary work was welcomed in the selection process.

Total number of volunteers: 550

Bratislava/Košice ratio: 363/187

Male/female ratio Around 1/3 are women, 2/3 men

Age: The average age is around 25 with the youngest being 15 (an exception to the rule for team service volunteers), the oldest is 85.

Education: For the most part students, but interestingly there is also a group of pensioners.

International participation: A total of 12 (10 in BA / 2 in KE), in BA : Canada, CZ, Poland, in KE: Canada, Hungary