Grassroots sport provides an incredibly important role in the wellbeing of our nation. From the youngest participants through to the oldest volunteers, it provides a vital service for local communities. From personal development and fitness to fostering a sense of purpose and belonging, its benefits are manifold.
A government study on sport participation found that “participation in sport can bring particular benefits to groups whose participation rates are lowest. These include women and girls, those with a disability, the unemployed, older people, migrant communities and those from disadvantaged communities.”
It continues: “According to Sport England 40% of grassroots football clubs in England are in the top 20% most deprived communities.”
Sport can help people overcome and live with physical and mental disabilities, providing opportunities for growth and rehabilitation. It can help people from outside the UK integrate into their local communities, helping people to learn English and to give them a way of interacting with people on a meaningful level while their language skills are still developing.
why volunteers are the lifeblood of amateur sports
Hundreds of thousands of people volunteer at the 150,000+ grassroots sports clubs across the UK. Without them, these clubs would simply cease to function.
Grassroots sports depends on the generosity of everyday people to help out and support not-for-profit entities in their endeavours. While funding opportunities can go a long way to sustain the running of a grassroots sports clubs, volunteers are essential to plug the gap that remains for successful operation.
volunteers bring more than a financial benefit for grassroots clubs
It’s not just what volunteers’ free support means for the often precarious finances of grassroots sports clubs. It’s also about the spirit they imbue these clubs and their activities with. It’s about the inspiration they can provide to people trying to learn and train in sports. It’s about the support they can provide. It’s about the experience they can share. And it’s about their love for the club and sport in question that is so vital in creating that welcoming community feel that is at the heart of grassroots sport. It’s important to remember that these people are not just investing their time, but also their energy and emotion.
grassroots sports volunteers make the nation fitter and happier
Research shows that one volunteer creates the capacity for at least 8.5 more people to play. That’s a huge, very clear impact. With over 25,000 volunteers in UK grassroots tennis alone, that equates to an incredible 212,500 people who have opportunities to play across the nation.
benefits for volunteer
Research shows that volunteers are 18% more likely to feel proud of themselves and 10% more likely to have higher self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and resilience, compared to non-volunteers. Volunteers benefit from a sense of belonging and purpose, making new friends and learning new skills in the process.
how can i find a grassroots sports club to volunteer at?
Your first point of call should be finding any local clubs who might need help and reaching out to them, but there are several places you can find opportunities for volunteering online too.
Signing up to Do It’s Join In programme to find out about opportunities in your area is a great start.
how can i find volunteers for my grassroots sports club?
You can sign up for an account with the Sport Recreation Alliance to find volunteers for your club. They also have advice on how you can recruit and retrain volunteers for your sports club direct.
