Volunteer uniforms for sale on eBay and Gumtree ahead of Commonwealth Games

COMMONWEALTH Games organisers have hit another speedbump just as the games are set to begin with volunteer uniforms being found on online shopping websites.

OFFICIAL volunteer uniforms have been offered online for sale just as the Commonwealth Games are about to begin.

Posts have been found on online shopping sites including eBay and Gumtree, offering volunteer “Games Shaper’’ ensembles for just $50.

The advertisements, which have now been removed, were believed to have been made by volunteers who can no longer assist at the event.

A Commonwealth Games Volunteer "Games Shaper" uniform advertised on eBay

The attempted sales came a week after a strong demonstration of security for the games.

Commonwealth Games chairman Peter Beattie said GOLDOC was aware of attempted sales.

“We are making contact with those individuals and request they remove the post,” he said.

“We want people to act with good conscience and we ask people to do the right thing.”

GOLDOC would not confirm the number of Games Shaper volunteers who had pulled out, but others among the 15,000 volunteers have been approached to fill extra shifts.

“Collectively, volunteers will provide more than one million hours of service across 130,000 shifts. Without their efforts the Games wouldn’t happen,” Mr Beattie said.

“All similar major events have a small percentage of the volunteer workforce that can’t attend their shift, and that has been factored into our planning and rostering.”

The Games boss said any sale of unused uniforms would not be a security risk.

“If a volunteer drops out their accreditation is cancelled and they are asked to return their uniform,” Mr Beattie said.

“The Games Shapers uniform alone does not provide access or entry to any locked-down venue, or other area that requires accreditation, therefore it alone is not a security risk. Volunteer accreditations are limited to the specific function of the volunteer role.’’

Mat Rogers presents the uniform which will be worn by volunteers in Townsville for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Photo Andrew Backhouse

While some have dropped out, volunteer Carol Boots, of Brisbane, said there was plenty of flexibility offered to those helping out.

“I am not sure of the numbers but some people have to work, others maybe can’t do all of their shifts for health reasons as a lot of the volunteers are retired,” Ms Boots said.

“I have found changing shifts with the Games staff so accommodating, we can ring our depot to talk to someone, nothing is a problem for them.

“If someone is having a bit of a bad day they have been very flexible.

“Everyone is happy. This is something we are all going to remember forever.”

Games Shapers are allowed to keep, auction for charity or on-sell their uniforms once the Commonwealth Games are over.

Originally published as Volunteer uniforms for sale on eBay and Gumtree ahead of Commonwealth Games