Volunteering in Sport

What makes you do it? What do you enjoy about it? What's the best - and worst - things about being a sports volunteer?

Comments

[zakłady bukmacherskie]

nice blog, i am sure i will back here often

[Richard Burke]

I note with amazement the comments of Peter Livingstone.
quote wrote:-
"Councilors please take note many a good team has had to fold due to lack of facilities."
WILF MANNION 1949.

PETER LIVINGSTONE 2007 "nothing much has changed we are only the real grass roots".

Occupancy of a local authority owned building for 2 to 3 years without paying a penny in rental is pretty good going I would say Peter. The local authority have left you alone and not asked you to fullfil the terms of the lease you have avoided delaing with. Appreciate what you have got and do some fundraising to maintian the centre you are so very lucky to have at no cost.

[Richard]

I played and coached club rugby for many years and they were some of the most memorable times of my life. I also spent my own money and time supporting these activties and felt good about doing it. A real sence of achievement, helping other people.

When I and others later created a volunteer community club to provide opportunities for children and young people to take part in cycling, canoeing, kayaking, hill walking and many other outdoor activities. What a change. Local authority sports and commuity support development workers and even a national/regional coach and local PCT representative were up in arms. Residents from the community were challenging their perceived exclusive role to support children and young people.

Where possible funding bids were interfered with, smears campaigns and false rumours were circulated. All with the intention to discredit us. Unsuccessfully I might add and the club is stronger than ever.

If we are really going to achieve goals towards making Britain a more active and fitter country. Along side funding availability Some local authorities and other government agencies. Have got to start and hold their hands up and acknowledge the community sectors role in this proccess and where possible support encourage that role.
I only hope the governments "Every Child Matters" makes this happen.

[katy young]

I've volunteered in rowing as a club captain and coach for a few years (university mainly alongside competing) but now cannot commit the time due to work. Instead I'm training to be an umpire as want to give something back to the sport I love.

However, I have real problems financing this. The expectation seems to be that I can travel all across the region,kit myself out in the required attire, contemplate buying other equipment which is not 100% essential but seems to be expected as personal provision to 'do it properly', all with no mention of reimbursement.

I know events are run on tight budgets and to suddenly have to budget in for expenses from all officals, many would struggle. But what would they do without any officials? There should at least be the option to claim. Volunteering in sport doesn't seem to have the same approach as volunteering in wider society (many volunteers in sport don't even classify themselves as volunteers).

I will carry on because I thoroughly enjoy it, but as a volunteer manager in my day job, it doesn't sit quite right. Sport in general is dependent on people running events, clubs and coaching those who want to participate.

I've seen more and more of an issue with those who train/compete/particiapte (whatever you want to call it) being unwilling/unable to fulfill other roles. In order to keep events/clubs sustainable I think we need to try and make volunteering in sport a bit more accessible (see expenses!), with the skills you can use/gain through helping to run a club, or officiate at an event not entirely dependent upon a previous involvement in the sport.

If we are to meet the aim of increasing participation, we need to decide whether we mean purely health grounds, or the greater benefits as others have mentioned here.

rant over!

[Peter Livingstone]

I am a volunteer Football enthusiast (my wife of forty years would say fanatic).

My involvment is with a local Football organisation registered as a CASC. A group of adult male and junior girls teams. Most are Charter Standard Clubs affiliated to NRCFA.

The real Grass roots in an area high on the list of deprevation TS6 6LG.

We operate from a council owned community centre single storey building, without proper changing or showers, that we occupy on the edge of a five and a half acre site with two pitches.

Unfortunately delighted that I am to have somewhere for them to play though albeit basic.

A former England Internatinal Footballer with 26 Caps in his book Football is my Goal.
I quote wrote:-
"Councilors please take note many a good team has had to fold due to lack of facilities."
WILF MANNION 1949.

PETER LIVINGSTONE 2007 "nothing much has changed we are only the real grass roots".

[John Petrides]

I was a volunteer with rugby for 7 years before moving to Triathlon where I have been a volunteer for the last 5 years, and hopefully many more years to come.
I do NOT look for appreciation from competitors and supporters, if it's given it's accepted. Volunteers are the greatest assets any sporting organisation can have.
The way I see it is we are a part of the future of our sport (whatever sport we represent). We are laying the foundations for the future generations, and to be part of that process is my incentive to be a volunteer.

[Colin Dyson]

I have been a general 'dogsbody' for my 14 year old daughter's football team for 4 seasons- I put up the nets, fetch the corner flags, clear the empty water bottles afterwards, collect money etc but just as important I run the line, home and away, every week. In general I do not have any problems and the role is appreciated by everyone and I do get a real 'buzz' from it.
There is one team,however, who I have had problems with over the last 2 years, more specifically one manager. I was not the only one and eventually this individual was banned by the league for 3 months for a number of offences, one of which was intimidating a 30 year old linesman against my daughter's team. Well as I am 55 I was well pleased. So the reason I volunteer - vanity!

[soccergirl]

I started coaching football because no one at our club would set up a girls team as there were a few girls at 11 yrs old with nowhere to go. Some people laughed at me when I said I was going to become a coach as they didnt think that a woman could do that. But I proved them wrong and set up an U12s team and took the level 1 & 2 coaching courses. Now Im on the level 3 course and setting up my third girls team. Ive not only coached girls but boys aswell and get a huge amount of satisfaction from coaching players who would not the opportunity to play otherwise. I know how they feel. Everyone should have the right to participate in sport.

[Julian Hunter]

I have been involved in many sports but for triathlon I am a referee, draftbuster, coach and race organiser as well as still competing.

For me the highs always out weigh the lows. When things go right and are appreciated it makes it all worth while.

e.g. At Bala Middle 3rd of June 2007, we stopped the presentation as the last few athletes came home. All the elete athletes and prize winners added their support to that of the spectators showing they appreciate the effort these tail enders put in.

To add to it all, when the finish gantry ran out of fuel and deflated - it was hoisted by the crowd (mainly PSOF - Pirate Ship of Fools supporters)for the final finisher so pass under.

Wonderful moments for our sport

[Vincenzo]

Have to fully agree with blind pugh. I've been coaching for 3 years. It gives you a great sense of achievement and that you're giving something back. It also gives you a wider perspective on matters - there are more ways of measuring 'success' than simply points scored and games won. To see skills, teamwork and player cameraderie develop is great.

The biggest issues are the parents, (some of whom are coaches also!) who are blind to the failings of their kiddy and aren't prepared to give and take. I am ready to hand out the RFU guidelines for spectators at the start of the new season!

[blind pugh]

I have been a volunteer for my local rugby club for nearly 10 years. Like many volunteers who have had many enjoyable times and I wanted to put something back into the game.

I have gained immense pleasure from coaching my son's age group and refereeing mini/ junior and now Colts and Senior Rugby.

The worst thing I find as a volunteer coach and referee and which will eventually wear me down and make me "hang up my volunteer boots" is firstly having to deal with parents who think that we are paid coaches and can therefore have a go at us because the feel their Jonny has not had enough game time