The Future of Sport Volunteering

11/11/2021

Date of Publication: April 16, 2021

Authors: SportAus

Published by: Australian Sports Commission, Australian Government

Sport is commonly recognised as a key part of the Australian identity. Sport could not have become so firmly embedded within the social fabric of Australia without its volunteers. Volunteers in sport fill an enormous diversity of roles - from coach to club president to canteen staff, and everything in between. 

The study involved:

  • Co-facilitated workshops (n = 44 participants) involving people from across and outside the sector with a strong connection with volunteering.
  • Semi-structured interviews with sport volunteering experts; most had direct experience with volunteering.
  • Online engagement with participants who weren’t able to attend the workshops so they could contribute their thoughts and ideas.
  • Discussion with a number of organisations (n = 51 participants); for example, national sporting organisations.

The report provides an overview of the current state of volunteering in sports, a vision, a framework for change, archetypes and journey maps for different types of volunteers, and six key opportunities to take action.

It provides five elements that should underpin all volunteer experiences:

  1. Make it feel like I belong
  2. Make it easy to get involved
  3. Tailor roles to support my needs
  4. Support me
  5. Create value for me, the club, and the community.

 To achieve the new vision the framework calls for three key shifts in ways of working across the sector:

  1. Work collaboratively
  2. Try new things
  3. Leverage data and insights

The report lays the foundations for change, but suggests a collective approach between clubs, governing bodies, as well as changes to the infrastructure are required to make meaningful change.

The full report is available here.