Sports volunteers play a fundamental role in the provision of sport and leisure opportunities. A sports volunteer is an individual who helps others in sport whilst receiving no payment.

Sports volunteers include: sports coaches, officials, administrators and everyone who helps behind the scenes to make sport possible.

Did you know?
There are an estimated 5,821,400 volunteers who contribute to Sport in England representing 14% of the adult population (Sporting Volunteering in England, Sport England 2002).

Sports volunteers help to sustain over 106,400 affiliated clubs in England, serving over 8million members (Sporting Volunteering in England, Sport England 2002).

The Russell Commission identifies sport as being the most popular volunteering activity, accounting for 47% of all volunteering undertaken by young people (Sport England 2005).

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the biggest volunteering event yet with 70,000 volunteers needed. Over 70,000 volunteers have already pledged their support for the event but it is not too late for you to get involved.

Sporting volunteers aim to: increase the number of volunteers entering sport as a coach, official, administrator or a general sports volunteer. They also ensure that volunteers have a quality volunteer experience. Sporting Volunteers will achieve these aims by focusin on three areas:
1)  Recruitment of volunteers
2)  Promotion of Volunteer Opportunities
3)  Quality Assurance

There are many organisations undertaking valuable work to recruit and find placements for volunteers across Northamptonshire. However, there are many sports clubs/organisations struggling on a day to day basis, with a handful of volunteers undertaking the majority of the work. Sporting Volunteers aims to bring these organisations together to increase the number of volunteers entering the sports arena.

If you are currently a sports volunteer or would like to become a volunteer in sport then please visit the following website for more details and information on how to get involved.  www.northamptonshiresport.org