Sport Volunteering Benefits: Reasons to Get Involved in Sport Volunteering
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Sport volunteering takes time and effort, and as an active sport volunteer, I can’t decline that. But it also gives you a lot in return. In this article, I will show you what the benefits of sports volunteering are.
Should we all be sports volunteers? No, not at all. In fact, I believe that it is an activity for a specific group of people.
But if you are wondering about volunteering, there is a high chance you are in this group. What does sports volunteering give? What has it given me? The article is written based on my perspective, so 10 years of sport volunteering experience.
Volunteering, what is it?
First, let’s clarify so that there won’t be any more misunderstandings (I see them quite often in the comments on social media). There is no fee for volunteering. It’s probably not even possible to pay for it. According to the definitions from different laws, for example, the Polish Act on public benefit activities and volunteering, it is voluntary (optional, free of charge) work performed without remuneration.
Moreover, the word comes from the Latin ‘voluntarius’, meaning voluntary.
Yes, sometimes the role is so extensive and requires many skills and responsibilities that it should probably be an ordinary job assignment and not the role of a volunteer (in my opinion, it applies to Team Guide-Team Liaison Officer during the biggest events).
However, in principle, volunteering is volunteering. Voluntarily and without remuneration. There is no room for discussions. Dot.
What are Sport Volunteering Benefits?
Sport Volunteering Benefits: Material
Not getting remuneration or salary doesn’t mean you will not be remunerated materially at all. What are the material benefits of sports volunteering?
First, entrance to the arena or stadium. You probably know how much tickets cost for all matches, tournaments, and championships. They are not cheap.
When you volunteer, you enter without a ticket, on accreditation. Does this mean you will watch the competition? It doesn’t. Sometimes you will, sometimes not, and sometimes partially. Definitely don’t count on it, if you want to see the whole match, go as a fan. But you can be sure that you will be there and feel the atmosphere. Because that’s what live sports competitions are all about!
What else will you receive ‘materially’?
Food and drinks during your working hours.
Sometimes free public transport during the event.
‘Work’ clothes, sometimes gadgets, are often things that you will use for years to come, e.g., a sweatshirt or raincoat.
Sport Volunteering Benefits: Non-material
We are moving to more important benefits, and there are many points here. In short, we can say that the most important and valuable things you can get from sports volunteering are memories, experiences, people, and networking.
• You’ll see what a major sporting event looks like from the inside. Seriously, what you see on TV is just the tip of the iceberg. But for this to happen, a whole machine needs to work. Preparation of the facility, locker rooms, press office, TV studio, zones. This is very interesting, especially if you are a sports fan.
• You will see and meet players and famous people from TV. It sounds funny to some, but I know that for many people, it is an important experience.
• You can include your volunteer experience in your CV, which will be useful, especially if you are just starting your professional career and don’t have so much work experience. You learn a lot during volunteering, for example, how to work in a group, how to react quickly in tougher situations, or how to speak with people (clients, so supporters whom volunteers help). In every volunteer role, you will be able to learn and put these skills on your CV.
• You will practice English or another language. Not always, not in every role, but sometimes you have the opportunity. And when learning a language, there is nothing better than practicing in natural situations.
Networking
This is probably the biggest value, which you can’t exchange for any material goods. You will meet new people and make new friends. Additionally, it will be likeminded people who are also interested in sports and with whom you can talk about it for many hours spent together during the event. In the future, you will support each other and exchange information about further volunteering.
During my sports events, I’ve met many people. With part of them contact ended after the event, but part of them became friends also in ‘normal’ life.
During the biggest events, you will meet people from different countries and cultures. It’s also a very interesting experience.
Summary
That’s not all, but I hope it’s enough to explain what sport volunteering is about. It has different aspects and different benefits that you can’t get just for money. That’s why, for some people, sports volunteering becomes a passion, lifestyle, or way of spending free time. Even if sports volunteers have to invest energy, time, days off from work, and often even finances to get somewhere. You can see how much you can get in return. And memories from many sports events stay forever.
Does it sound good? Maybe you will catch the volunteering bug too?
Check out the sports volunteering section of the blog to learn more about it:
Check out Tips for a Sports Volunteer Interview.
