Volunteers key to sport's successful return post Covid

The Australian Government, through Sport Australia, has strengthened its commitment to attract and retain volunteers as we continue to navigate the safe return of sport at all levels.

Sport Australia's latest AusPlay report has identified volunteering as the lifeblood for organised competition with an increasing number of opportunities identified, particularly for those with a disability, retirees, low-income households and people who speak a language other than English.

It found, almost three million Australians volunteer in sport, but additional support is needed to ensure organised competition returns stronger than ever following the impact of the pandemic.

The report also highlights the strong role sporting clubs play in rural and regional communities with volunteering more common outside of major cities despite having similar participation rates.

Sport Australia Acting CEO Rob Dalton said many Australians take on essential non-playing roles such as coaching, officiating or involvement as administrators or team managers to allow sport to thrive.

"Without volunteers, sport at the community level doesn't exist," Mr Dalton said.

"As a nation, we're incredibly fortunate to have 2.9 million Australians put up their hand to volunteer and we owe these people a great amount of gratitude for their time and energy.

"But with 8.5 million adults and 3.4 million children participating in organised sport each year, it's clear that more volunteers are needed to ensure that all Australians who would like to participate in organised sport can do so."

Mr Dalton said the research found that most volunteers already have a strong connection to that sport, often as participants themselves or have children playing. Sports with the most participants also have the most volunteers, led by football/soccer, netball, Australian football and basketball.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of volunteers are aged 35-54 and 56 per cent of volunteers are men.

The most common non-playing role is coaching followed by officiating. Team managers are more likely to be female while men more often take on coaching roles. Around 774,000 Australians also take on multiple roles. Roles also change as we age with our youngest volunteers almost always taking on the coaching or officiating duties, with administrator or committee member roles most popular in the 55 and over age group.

Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the report provides important insights into the sector as we recover from COVID-19.

"The Australian Government, through Sport Australia, is committed to making Australia stronger through sport. Being involved and enjoying sport isn't limited to playing, as volunteers can enjoy the same benefits such as improving their fitness, physical health and mental wellbeing as participants and play an incredibly important role that keeps our clubs, games and canteens running."

Mr Dalton said Sport Australia will continue to work across the sport sector to activate the National Sport Volunteering Plan to help Australian sporting organisations attract and retain volunteers.

"We want all Australians to have the opportunity to be involved in sport no matter their background, socio-economic status or physical abilities. We believe that sport is for all, and our National Sport Volunteering Plan is a priority as we continue to improve the volunteering experience, broaden its appeal and encourage more Australians to get involved."