Sports Community provides the resources, training and knowledge to volunteers and clubs to make their role more manageable and has been supporting volunteers for the last decade.
In partnership with Paddle Australia, Sports Community has supported the creation of the Paddle Australia National Volunteer Strategy. Coinciding with National Volunteer Week, Paddle Australia has released the first phase National Volunteer Strategy, the research and findings, which will aim to inform the overall strategy to improve recruitment, recognition and retention of volunteers in the sport.
Steve Pallas, CEO of Sports Community, says, “To successfully recruit the next generation of club volunteers, there is no alternative but to dramatically change the way we empower, support and appreciate our volunteers.”
“There has never been a greater need to support and empower the fantastic volunteers in sport. While there has never been a greater need, the consultation and research process also clearly identified that we must recruit, empower, support and appreciate our next generation of volunteers far differently than we have collectively done so up until now.
“It was a special opportunity to be a part of the process that defines what these changes will look like and how they can be implemented on a “whole of sport” basis — creating a way that helps every volunteer within the Paddle Australia community.”
Paddle Australia CEO, Phil Jones, said as the sport embarks on a new approach to get more people participating in paddling activities, comes a need for a larger volunteer base.
“Our sport has a very proud history of volunteering, with people across the country giving up their time to help get more people on the water whether that be recreationally or as part of our competitions.
“But our volunteer numbers are small, putting pressure on the ‘regulars’, which can result in burn out and drop off in numbers.
“Not only do we need to support those who are currently in our volunteer ranks, but we also need to employ strategies to recruit a new generation of volunteers,” Phil concluded.
- Learn more about the Paddle Australia National Volunteer Strategy here.
- Learn more about Sports Community on their website here.
- Find a career with Belgravia Leisure here.
Image via Paddle Australia
