By Rob Tate, Governance Manager
Volunteers’ Week is the perfect time to reflect on the breadth of volunteering opportunities in sport.
Week in, week out, we see and benefit from the work of vital frontline volunteers – the coaches, instructors and officials who make it possible for everyone to enjoy sport and physical activity.
At thousands of events, from parkrun to the Paralympics, we see an army of volunteers keeping things running smoothly to create an outstanding experience for participants and spectators.
These volunteers are both very active and very visible, but there is even more going on behind the scenes.
The vast majority of sport and recreation organisations, from local clubs to National Governing Bodies (NGBs), are led by volunteer boards and committees. Across the sector, there is a near-constant demand for more people who have both a passion for sport and the professional skills that can contribute to running a successful organisation. From finance, legal and governance to sponsorship, marketing and business development, organisations are seeking a diverse range of skills and experience to ensure that they are effectively led and managed.
The success of sport in Wales relies on volunteer board and committee members who lead the strategic development of sporting organisations.
These roles don’t require a regular weekly commitment to standing pitch side and, whilst a passion for sport and physical activity is helpful, most don’t require any specialist knowledge of the sport in question.
Instead, organisations are looking for people with professional skills outside of sport; people who can help guide a successful business and bring an objective view to the decision-making process. Most boards and committees meet only a few times a year, with flexibility to build a small amount of additional work around your current schedule.
In return, volunteers get the opportunity to exercise and develop their skills, gain experience of leadership and strategy roles and get closely involved in the exciting world of sport and recreation. Board roles also offer the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of sport in Wales at grassroots and elite level – there’s a tangible link between the work of volunteers and the impact the organisation can have.
Getting involved is easy – you may already be involved in a sport or activity, in which case it’s more than likely they’re screaming out for volunteers.
Alternatively, there are plenty of ways to find a volunteering role online. Board level roles across Wales and the rest of the UK are advertised by the Welsh Sport Association, UK Sport and the Sport and Recreation Alliance. Anyone who wants a regular update of available board roles can also sign up to the Alliance’s Non-Executive Director Matching Service.
For local opportunities, the Alliance is launching an online Volunteering Opportunities Finder next week, which will help link keen volunteers with clubs and local events seeking support. Keep an eye on their website to find out more.
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