sportscotland lay foundations for volunteers
Tuesday 31 May 2005
As Volunteers Week kicks off, Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson today announced that sportscotland has appointed six regional development officers for volunteering in sport through a three-year funding package totalling £630,000.
The six posts are the first of their kind to specifically target volunteers in sport, and the level of sportscotland’s investment reflects the importance of volunteers to the future of sport. They will increase the opportunities for people to participate in sport and physical activity and help many athletes to achieve success on the world stage.
Minister for Sport, Patricia Ferguson said: "These new posts are groundbreaking in terms of the Executive’s commitment to encouraging participation in sport.
"It is fitting that at the start of Volunteers Week, we are, for the first time, channelling sportscotland funding to increase the number of people volunteering in sport.
"From the referee at a local football match to the manager of a sports club – all types of volunteers are crucial to fabric of sport in Scotland."
"From the referee at a local football match to the manager of a sports club – all types of volunteers are crucial to fabric of sport in Scotland."
Volunteers are integral to the achievement of the Sport 21 vision of making sport more widely available to all; recognising sporting talent; and achieving and sustaining world class performances in sport. The regional development officers, which are now all in place and based in the Scottish Volunteer Centre Network, will be instrumental in the successful implementation and delivery of Sport 21 Target 10 – to sustain the 150,000 people currently volunteering in sport and, in the long run, add to this number.
The Scottish Volunteer Centre Network is made up of 34 Volunteer Centres located in local authority areas, all of which are funded by the Scottish Executive in recognition of volunteer’s work in building stronger communities. The centres are the core delivery agencies for the Scottish Executive’s volunteering strategy.
Based in each of the six regions – Angus, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highland and Stirling - the development officers will have a key responsibility to work with sporting organisations to create the best possible conditions for the development of quality, accessible volunteering opportunities in sport. They will work to establish sustainable networks of knowledge and support, and will facilitate partnerships between sport and the wider volunteer sector at national, regional and local levels.
Although the long term aim is to recruit new volunteers, ways of sustaining and assisting current volunteers will also be a key element of the development officers’ work. It is important that a wide range of volunteering opportunities are available within sport for people with varying levels of commitment and time.
Volunteering is important at all levels of Scottish society, and is crucial to the future development and delivery of all sports at all levels. With nearly 25% of all volunteers in Scotland choosing to volunteer in sport, it is essential that they are encouraged to continue investing their time and expertise. They are the bedrock of Scottish sport.
Shona Clark, Regional Development Officer for Dundee, started volunteering on the golf committee of her local golf club at 16 years old, and will now pass on her knowledge and experience to help sporting organisations recruit their own volunteers.
She said: "I first became involved in volunteering when I was 16, and more recently, I have been involved as a volunteer coach through clubgolf, the national junior golf programme. My volunteer experience has been, and continues to be, invaluable in terms of both my personal development and my new post.
"I look forward to working with a number of partners to encourage inclusion and diversity in volunteering in sport. There are lots of things people can do such as join committees, organise events or coach – everything counts. Volunteering is great fun and such a rewarding experience."
Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said: "Volunteering in sport is great fun and a rewarding experience enabling people to contribute to their local community. From the coaches and officials out on the field, to the often unsung heroes – the administrators, committee members and fundraisers working tirelessly behind the scenes – volunteers make things happen – they are the lifeblood of Scottish sport.
"The new regional development officers will offer practical support and guidance to those working within the infrastructure of Scottish sport. Through their work, we want to ensure more volunteers – particularly young people – are recruited and retained in sport, that the training needs of volunteers are met, and that volunteering in sport is celebrated and recognised for the contribution it makes to Scottish society."
Lesley Greenaway, Depute Chief Executive, Volunteer Development Scotland, said "This is a wonderful opportunity to bring together all the key players to develop and ensure the long term success of Scottish sport through its volunteers. At Volunteer Development Scotland, we are especially pleased that the important connection has been made at a local level between sports volunteering and the network of local Volunteer Centres."
Volunteers Week is Wednesday 1- Tuesday 7 June
sportscotland’s investment of £630,000 is over three years.
Around one quarter of people who volunteer in Scotland, volunteer in sport.
Six regional development officers for volunteering in sport
Shona Clark - Volunteer Centre Dundee (Tayside and Fife)
Former volunteer on golf committee at local club before becoming involved through clubgolf as a volunteer coach at Hermitage Golf Club, Edinburgh.
Lee Crosby - Volunteer Centre Angus (North East, Orkney & Shetland)
Former volunteer community football coach with involvement in a coach mentoring programme. This led to employment as a street football development officer.
"My experiences in volunteering have not only benefited the sports I have worked with, but have also given me great satisfaction and enjoyment. I see my new post as being ideal opportunity for job satisfaction."
Gillian Glover - Volunteer Centre Stirling (Central)
Volunteer in Scottish Snowsport, and former Snowsport employee. Worked for Glasgow City Council on the youth sport team.
Dagmar Heyer - Volunteer Centre Highland (Highland)
Member of sports clubs, competed in competitions, volunteer committee member.
"Being involved in with sports clubs gave me the confidence to start volunteering on various committees. I now realise how important volunteers are for sport, and how rewarding volunteering can be."
Sam Tock - Volunteer Centre Edinburgh (Edinburgh and Lothians)
Volunteer with children, conservation and wildlife projects.
"I am really glad that I have volunteered myself as it has been a means of invaluable first hand experience of the benefits of volunteering."
Kevin West - Volunteer Centre Glasgow (West)
Has helped at a variety of youth groups and coached football.
"Volunteering experiences have helped me throughout my life, expanding my social circle and providing me with a pathway to paid employment. I am passionate about making it easier for people both young and old to volunteer in sporting organisations and enjoy the same positive experience that I have."